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ACLU Sends Judiciary Committee
Questions for Souter Hearing

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 1990

  The American Civil Liberties Union today sent the Senate
Judiciary Committee a series of 39 questions that it requested
the committee ask of Supreme Court nominee David H. Souter.

  "In view of the relative bareness of Judge Souter's record,
this week's hearings have become extraordinarily important," said
Ira Glasser, the ACLU's executive director. "The Senate must
fully explore Judge Souter's judicial philosophy, particularly
his beliefs on the protection of individual rights."

  The ACLU only opposes nominees for the Supreme Court if their
"record demonstrates a philosophy" that, if implemented, "would
fundamentally jeopardize the Court's historic and critical role
in protecting civil liberties."
     
  The union does believe, however, that the Senate has an
obligation to examine a nominee's judicial and constitutional
philosophy and to require a nominee to fully explain that
philosophy during hearings.

  The ACLU's recommended questions and a letter delivered today
to Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., the chairman, and all members of
the Judiciary Committee, are attached.