The Senate Judiciary Committee continued hearing testimony on the confirmation of Judge John Roberts to the seat on the U.S. Supreme Court vacated by the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Among the issues Judge Roberts addressed were the role of prior Supreme Court precedent in judicial decision making, the limitations and role of the federal government, social issues and civil rights, and business law.  Several members challenged Judge Roberts to speak on prior court decisions which he had declined to address previously, saying that he thought it inappropriate to comment on issues that might come before the court.
During the questioning both members and the witness appeared in a split-screen format.