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January 31, 2006

R.I.'s senators vote against Alito's confirmation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. became the nation's newest Supreme Court justice today even without the support of Rhode Island's two senators.

Alone among the Senate's 55 Republicans, Rhode Island's Lincoln D. Chafee voted not to seat Alito, underlining Chafee's status as the GOP senator who votes most frequently with the Democrats.

Chafee announced yesterday that he would not support Alito's nomination.

Rhode Island's Jack Reed was part of the large majority of Democrats who voted against confirming Alito's nomination.

The last Republican to make known her choice, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, joined other GOP moderates, such as Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, in voting to confirm Alito's nomination.

-- John E. Mulligan, Journal Washington Bureau

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:48 AM | Permalink