W.House releases Roberts documents

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WASHINGTON, July 26 (UPI) -- The White House said Tuesday it will release 75,000 pages of documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee to evaluate U.S. Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said documents from the time Roberts served in the White House counsel's office under Ronald Reagan and as special assistant to the attorney general are being retrieved from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the National Archives.

"There is more than enough for Senate members to do their job," McClellan said. "(The documents) show Judge Roberts as a young staffer working to provide legal analysis and support of President Reagan's agenda."

Documents revealing Robert's opinions as deputy solicitor general during George H.W. Bush's term as president, which could indicate his position on key issues, will not be released because of the "chilling effect" it could spark in future potential justices going through Senate confirmation, McClellan said.

The disclosure of documents was requested Monday by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will lead Roberts' confirmation process.