The Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings on President Bush’s nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. Members delivered their opening statements on the nomination, outlining their views and concerns about Judge Alito’s record on the federal bench and as a Justice Department lawyer. Among the topics they addressed were the independence of the judiciary, the powers and privileges of the executive branch, and past views expressed about issues before the federal courts.
Following members' opening statements, Judge Alito was introduced by Former Senator Lautenberg and Former Governor Whitman. He was then sworn in prior to making his own opening statement.