By Jill Morrison
Washington, DC – New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer told colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday that he had no choice but to oppose the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
Schumer says he voted against Alito in committee largely because the nominee did not answer questions thoroughly enough during confirmation hearings. And Schumer says Alito's views are outside the mainstream.
"Judge Alito tried to give the impression sought to give the impression that he simply did what the law requires," Schumer said. "But there is much that this facile formulation ignores. Sometimes the law requires judges to use his or her discretion. And of course, very often what the law requires means different things to different people of good faith."
Schumer cited concerns that he's consistently expressed since the nomination of Judge Alito last October. He worries if confirmed the Judge would work to overturn Roe V. Wade and grant the President too much power.
Schumer's vote came as little surprise on Capitol Hill where he's been one of the loudest Alito skeptics. It's expected the Republican-led Senate will confirm Alito with minimal Democratic support by the end of this week.