Richard Burr: “I rise today, like my colleague who spoke just before me, to support the nomination of John Roberts to be the Chief…”

“I rise today, like my colleague who spoke just before me, to support the nomination of John Roberts to be the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. To those who know me, to those who have heard me talk on this subject, this is no great surprise. But voting on a Supreme Court nomination is a very rare task. It is more historic now, as the Senate will consider a nominee for the top job of the Court. The question I ask today is, Why should America care about this debate? This debate is more significant than a lifetime appointment of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This debate is more significant than the influence that one single individual brings who is chosen. This debate is about future decisions that will affect the lives of every American, that will affect our children and our children's children. From our civil liberties, to property rights, to questions of life and death, to safety in communities, to the very basic freedoms, there is no area in our daily lives that is not somehow affected by the judicial decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The decisions made by the Court today will have a lasting effect long after we have gone from this institution. It is essential, absolutely essential, that we confirm not only competent, impartial judges, but those who are the very brightest and those who are good citizens and understand the task for which they have been nominated and confirmed.…”