2006年VOA标准英语-US Senate Hearings on Supreme Court Nomine

By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
13 January 2006

The U.S. Senate hearings into the nomination¹ of Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme² Court have concluded with testimony³ from witnesses. Some 30 witnesses testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of, or against Judge Samuel Alito's nomination.

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Kate Michelman, the former president of the National Abortion⁴ and Reproductive Rights Action League, echoed concerns of many Democrats⁵ who argue that Alito's record suggests that, if confirmed, the nominee⁶ would seek to erode⁷ abortion rights:

"There is much in his record that indicates clearly and beyond the boundaries of reasonable dispute that he rejects the idea of privacy, personal privacy as a fundamental American ideal," she said. "A woman's right to choose is a powerful manifestation⁸ of privacy."

 
Panel of seven appellate judges who have worked with Judge Samuel Alito testify on his behalf during Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation⁹ hearing Thursday 
  
Democrats expressed frustration¹⁰ earlier this week when Alito refrained from calling the 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion settled law, describing it instead as an important precedent¹¹.

Democrats have also expressed concern about Alito's record dealing¹² with presidential powers.

If confirmed, Alito would succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is considered a moderate and who often cast the deciding vote in 5-4 rulings in controversial cases. Democrats fear Alito would shift the balance of the court in a more conservative direction.

Samuel Alito  
  
But Republicans dismiss the criticism and say Alito is well-qualified for the high court.

Their arguments were echoed by Edna Ball Axelrod, who - like Alito - is an appeals court judge.

"Those of us who know him know he is not an ideologue, and that he does not use his position to pursue personal agendas," she said.

Alito is expected to be confirmed by the Republican-led Senate later this month.

1 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

2 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

3 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

4 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

7 erode   

v.侵蚀，腐蚀，使...减少、减弱或消失

参考例句：

• Once exposed,soil is quickly eroded by wind and rain.一旦暴露在外，土壤很快就会被风雨侵蚀。
• Competition in the financial marketplace has eroded profits.金融市场的竞争降低了利润。

8 manifestation   

n.表现形式；表明；现象

参考例句：

• Her smile is a manifestation of joy.她的微笑是她快乐的表现。
• What we call mass is only another manifestation of energy.我们称之为质量的东西只是能量的另一种表现形态。

9 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

10 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

11 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

12 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。