U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. faced sharp questions about abortion and his membership in a college society during a confrontational hearing in which his wife left the room in tears.

Alito left open the possibility that he would overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling. Democrats also pressed him on his role in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton group, which advocated against women and minorities being accepted at the Ivy League school.

Alito disavowed ties to the group band its views but an exchange with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a supporter, prompted his wife to leave the hearing room. Graham asked whether Alito was a "closet bigot" in response to the questions Democrats had been asking.

Get the Story:
Alito Leaves Door Open to Reversing 'Roe' (The Washington Post 1/12)
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Democrats Take Aggressive Tack; Alito Is Unfazed (The New York Times 1/12)
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An Intense Experience for Family Members, Too (The New York Times 1/12)

Hearing Transcripts:
Day 3: Part I | Day 3: Part II | Day 3: Part III | Day 2: Part I | Day 2: Part II | Day 2: Part III | Day 1: Part I | Day 1: Part II

Samuel Alito Documents:
National Archives |Ronald Reagan Library | George W. Bush Library

Relevant Links:
Judicial Nominations, White House - http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/judicialnominees

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