LOCAL NEWS:

Pilot 'lucky' after dramatic Lynden plane crash

KEYWORD:

A   A   A

Posted: Thursday, 19 July 2012 4:30AM

Scalia: No fallout with Roberts over healthcare decision



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said there was no bad blood between himself and Chief Justice John Roberts, who stunned conservatives by voting to uphold President Barack Obama's healthcare law.

In a rare interview that aired on Wednesday night, Scalia also told CNN he had "no regrets" over the court's 5-4 decision that swung the 2000 presidential election to Republican George W. Bush.

Scalia's response to critics of the ruling, which he says is the one most frequently raised with him, is "get over it."

"Especially because it's clear that the thing would have ended up the same way anyway. The press did extensive research into what would have happened if what Al Gore wanted done had been done, county by county, and he would have lost anyway," he said.

Scalia said he slept well at night and had a crystal-clear understanding of his role on the bench.

"I'm not king and I haven't been charged with making the Constitution come out right all the time," he said.

In the landmark June 28 healthcare ruling that was an election-year victory for President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats, Roberts surprisingly joined the court's four liberal members to uphold the law's key provision requiring that most Americans buy health insurance or pay a tax.

The decision was a setback for Republicans who mounted opposition in Congress to the law before its 2010 passage. They dubbed it "Obamacare" and called it an unwarranted intrusion into the lives of individuals and a burden on states.

Media reports suggested tempers flared between Scalia and Roberts - both conservative jurists - over the matter after the decision, but Scalia said that was not true.

"You shouldn't believe what you read about the court in the newspapers. No I haven't had a falling out with Justice Roberts," Scalia said.

Story & Photos Copyright 2012 Reuters
Filed Under :  
Topics : Politics
Social :
Locations : Washington
People : Al GoreAntonin ScaliaBarack ObamaGeorge W. BushJohn Roberts

House lawmakers reach deal to revamp immigration


Prospects for passage of a major immigration bill has improved.

House votes to repeal Obamacare for 37th time


The Republican-controlled U.S. House voted to repeal Obamacare in a symbolic move.

Judge to hear insanity defense in theater shooting case


The judge who will hear the murder case against accused James Holmes has agreed to hear arguments.

Boston bombing suspect wrote message in boat


Accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left a handwritten message.

Tornadoes rip through Texas, killing six


At least six people were killed when tornadoes ripped through a stretch of Texas.

As scandals mount, White House springs into damage control


With no sign of an end to three scandals, the White House launched a concerted effort at damage control.

Tax chief forced out in IRS scandal


Steven Miller resigned as the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service.

White House releases Benghazi attack emails


The White House released 100 pages of emails detailing discussion about deadly attacks in Benghazi.

Holder sidesteps lawmakers' questions on AP records seizure


Lawmakers pounded Attorney General Eric Holder with questions.

Accused Cleveland kidnapper plans to plead not guilty


The man charged with holding three women captive and raping them will plead not guilty.

Once a beacon, Obama under fire over civil liberties


Barack Obama has faced accusation after accusation of impinging on civil liberties.

FBI opens criminal probe of IRS


The FBI has opened a criminal probe over the IRS's targeting of conservative political groups.

Attorney General Holder recused himself from AP subpoena


The Attorney General said that he recused himself from the decision to secretly seize telephone records of the Associated Press.

Lower DUI limit to 0.05% blood-alcohol level, NTSB says


The top transportation safety agency voted to recommend a lower blood alcohol limit for drivers.

Russia says CIA agent caught trying to recruit spy


Russia said it had caught an American red-handed as he tried to recruit a Russian intelligence officer.