For High Court: O’Connor Wins Panel’s Approval

WASHING TON – Arizona Judge Sandra Day O’Connor today won overwhelming approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee for her nomination t.o become the first woman justice on the Supreme Court. The vote was 17-0, with one member voting present. Sen. Jeremiah Denton, R-Ala., said he could not vote for the nomination without knowing Judge O’Connor’s specific views on abortion. Sixteen senat.ors initially voted to approve the nomination. Denton and Sen. John East withheld their votes while they made statements explaining their decisions. East, R-N.C., then voted yes. Denton voted “present.” DENTON, WHO HAD questioned Judge O’Connor at length about her views on abortion, has said he felt frustrated because he could not determine where she was “coming from philosophically” on abortion. “I know very little about Judge O’Connor’s opinions on the grave legal issues of the day,” Denton said in his statement today. Denton said Judge O’Connor is a “fine lady and distinguished jurist,” but added he was unable to support her nomination without knowing more about her beliefs concerning abortion. East said he was similarly troubled but cast his vote for the nomination because he believes Judge O’Connor to be “a conservative woman ofconservative instincts.” The full Senate is likely to consider the nomination with only nominal opposition on Friday. Prior to today’s committee action, Judge O’Connor’s swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for Sept. 25. The high court begins its fall session 10