NEW YORK - September 29 - Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States.

"We are clearly disappointed that the Senate has confirmed John Roberts for a lifetime position on the Supreme Court, even though he repeatedly refused to answer fair and direct questions, including whether the right to privacy extends to a woman's right to choose. Pro-choice Americans applaud those senators who courageously opposed this nomination.

"Now that this first nomination process is complete, the Senate must turn to the monumental task of replacing retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. As the Court's swing vote, O'Connor put reason before ideology and played a decisive role in protecting women's reproductive freedom. The president has an obligation to nominate an individual who reflects O'Connor's philosophy and has a record of supporting the fundamental freedoms that Americans value."