In a release Monday afternoon, the Democratic National Committee submitted a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, signed by more than 80,000 Americans, to the Bush Justice Department for documents pertaining to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' time in the office of the Solicitor General during the Administration of President George H. W. Bush.
The DNC issued a call last week asking for others to sign on to the FOIA request.
As Deputy Solicitor General in the first Bush Administration, Roberts worked on more than 300 cases that were argued before the Supreme Court. Current administration officials have refused to release records on 16 key cases, citing attorney-client privilege.
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Senate Democrats and the DNC believe the cases would shed light on the nominee's positions on controversial issues, allowing for a fuller understanding of who they'll be voting on.
"The Bush Administration's continued stonewalling on records relating to Roberts' handling of important cases involving civil rights and other issues of great consequence to the day-to-day lives of all Americans is reverberating beyond the beltway," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "Americans from coast-to-coast agree a thorough review of these records is necessary to determine whether Roberts will be an advocate for Americans' personal freedom or an activist for an ideological agenda.
"The White House owes not only the United States Senate, but the American people, an open and honest debate about Roberts' record," Dean added. "The Senate needs access to these documents to fulfill its constitutional obligation to advise the President on his lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land."
The White House has already released more than 75,000 pages of documents relating to Roberts' work during the Reagan Administration.
Democrats have been loath to criticize Roberts, who has come under fire from pro-choice advocates and other liberal circles. No senator has openly publicly opposed confirming Roberts to the court. Some believe Democratic senators are holding back until the Judiciary Committee opens Roberts' hearing Sept. 6.
Republicans have received Roberts' nomination warmly.
In a release Monday afternoon, the Democratic National Committee submitted a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, signed by more than 80,000 Americans, to the Bush Justice Department for documents pertaining to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' time in the office of the Solicitor General during the Administration of President George H. W. Bush.