Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John G. Roberts Jr. was in the hot seat last week. He faced four days of questions about his beliefs and legal views. The confirmation hearings were a chance for lawmakers to decide if he will protect the rights of all people. "Judges are not politicians who can promise to do certain things in exchange for votes," Roberts said. "Judges are like umpires. Umpires do not make the rules; they apply them."
Roberts defended his record and promised to be fair. "I will confront every case with an open mind," he said.
Next, the 18 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote. If more than half of the committee members approve, then all senators will vote. He needs a majority of the Senate votes to become Chief Justice.