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MAY 23, 2001

Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on Tuesday canceled confirmation hearings for three of President Bush's judicial nominees, including one who fought against the recognition of Alaska Native sovereignty.

Complaints by Democrat Senators led to the cancellation of today's hearing. They said they didn't have enough time to consider the records of the three nominees: John G. Roberts for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, Jeffrey S. Sutton for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Deborah L. Cook for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Roberts represented the state of Alaska in the Venetie Supreme Court case. The state won its argument that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 terminated Native village authority over tribal lands.

Roberts also represented the state of Hawaii in defense of its Native Hawaiian programs. He lost the case to white rancher Harold "Freddy" Rice, leading to wide changes in Native Hawaiian affairs in the state.

Roberts won a case on behalf of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Supreme Court in 1999 ruled that the NCAA cannot be sued for sex discrimination under Title IX.

Roberts had been nominated to the position by the elder President Bush. The Senate never acted on it, however.

A fellow lawyer described Roberts' litigation style as "very steady, very relaxed."

Get the Story:
Sen. Hatch Cancels Hearing on Nominees (The Washington Post 5/23)
Appeals Court Nominees Share Conservative Roots (The Washington Post 5/23)
Bush Nominees to Federal Bench (The Washington Post 5/9)

Get the Alaska v. Venetie Case:
Syllabus | Opinion

Get the Rice v. Cayetano Case:
Syllabus | Opinion | Concurrence Dissent (Stevens) | Dissent (Ginsburg)

Relevant Links:
District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals - http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov
Hogan & Hartson - http://www.hhlaw.com/pc_n-index.asp
Native Hawaiians, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/nativehawaiians
More on Rice v. Cayetano: http://www.nativehawaiians.com

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