Gonzales Says Roe Can't Bind Current Court

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 27, 2005

WASHINGTON, July 26 (AP) - A right to abortion is settled law for lower courts, but the Supreme Court "is not obliged to follow" it, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales said Tuesday as the Senate prepared to consider the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts to be associate justice.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Mr. Gonzales said a justice did not have to abide by a previous Supreme Court ruling - in this case Roe v. Wade - "if you believe it's wrong." The comment suggested that the attorney general believed Judge Roberts would not be bound by a statement he made in 2003 that a right to abortion was now settled. Judge Roberts made the statement at a hearing on his confirmation to his current seat on a federal appeals court in Washingto