WASHINGTON, DC — Under his first round of questioning from Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts made inconclusive comments about the Roe v. Wade decision that decriminalized abortion in the United States.

While Roberts indicated that Roe is “settled as a precedent of the court” is also acknowledged that such precedents can be overturned. Roberts cited Brown v. the Board of Education (1954) as a case where the precedent of segregation established in Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) was overturned, causing a “jolt to the legal system.” Roberts indicated that Plessey, which had provided legal precedent for segregation, had become “unworkable.”

“Operation Rescue would like to remind Judge Roberts that while Roe v. Wade is indeed legal precedent, it is very bad precedent,” said OR President Troy Newman. “Today, we know much more about the development of the baby in the womb and the heinous nature of the abortion process. This knowledge has made Roe unworkable.”

“We look forward to further questioning by the Judicial Committee and anticipate Robert’s answers to questions posed by pro-life senators, which will hopefully clarify Roberts responses to questioning by pro-abortion senators,” said Newman.