John Roberts in The Los Angeles Times


On Abortion: Wife is strongly pro-life

While Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' views on abortion triggered intense debate on Capitol Hill, there is no mistaking where his wife stands: Jane Sullivan Roberts, a lawyer, is ardently against abortion.

A Roman Catholic like her husband, Jane Roberts has been deeply involved in the antiabortion movement. She provides her name, money and professional advice to a small Washington organization-Feminists for Life of America-that offers counseling and educational programs. The group has filed legal briefs before the high court challenging the constitutionality of abortion.

A spouse's views normally are not considered relevant in weighing someone's job suitability. But abortion is likely to figure prominently in the Senate debate over John Roberts' nomination. And with his position on the issue unclear, abortion rights supporters expressed concern that his wife's views might suggest he also embraced efforts to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Jane Roberts declined to comment for this article.

Source: Richard A. Serrano, Los Angeles Times Jul 21, 2005

On Abortion: Finds no support for abortion rights in Constitution

Judge Roberts' public positions on abortion and Roe vs. Wade appear to be inconsistent. In 1990, as the principal deputy solicitor general in President George H.W. Bush's administration, Roberts wrote a legal brief for the Supreme Court in a case regarding federal funding for abortion providers. "We continue to believe that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overruled," Roberts wrote. His brief added: "The Supreme Court's conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental right to an abortion finds no support in the text, structure or history of the Constitution."

But during the 2003 Senate confirmation hearings on his appellate court nomination, Roberts took the position that abortion rights were no longer debatable. "Roe vs. Wade is the settled law of the land," he told lawmakers. "There's nothing in my personal views that would prevent me from fully and faithfully applying that precedent." But abortion rights groups are convinced that Roberts is opposed to abortion.

Source: Richard A. Serrano, Los Angeles Times Jul 21, 2005

On Principles & Values: Adopted two children

Jane Roberts, the wife of John Roberts, was a volunteer member of Feminists for Life's board of directors from 1995 to 1999. She has provided legal assistance to the pro-life group and been recognized as a contributor who donated from $1,000 to $2,500. She has written for a newsletter for a pro-life group called ‘s newsletter, including an article about adoption. Roberts and her husband have adopted two children.
Source: Richard A. Serrano, Los Angeles Times Jul 21, 2005

The above quotations are from Media coverage of CA political races in The Los Angeles Times.
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