The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing on the appointment of Judge John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court seat vacated after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. On the first day of questioning by members of the committee of President Bush’s, Judge John Roberts responded to inquiries on a number of subjects including the role of the judiciary, his judicial philosophy, and his past legal experience. Among the topics he addressed were the importance of judicial precedents, the right to privacy, reproductive rights and the law, civil rights issues, and the philosophy of original intent.

Each member was allotted thirty minutes of questioning during the day-long hearing. During the questions both member and witness were displayed in a split-screen format.