Senator Backs Bush's Judicial Picks

Moderate Republican Senator Arlen Specter is creating a written commitment to have quick hearings and votes about Bush's judicial nominees. Specter supports abortion rights and promises to vote quickly regardless of the nominees' views on abortion. This is part of the struggle after elections to choose the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. Although according to party seniority rules Specter is in line for the chairmanship, many anti-abortion groups have opposed his appointment. Conservative Senators have been grilling him on his intentions during recent meetings.