In July, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John Roberts to succeed outgoing retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. However, following the death in office Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States William H. Rehnquist, that still-pending nomination was withdrawn. It was announced September 5, 2005 the by President Bush that he would withdraw the nomination of Roberts to O'Connor's associate judgeship and instead nominate Roberts to the position of chief judge. The Senate Judiciary Committee commenced hearings on Roberts's nomination to serve as Chief Justice on September 12, 2005. Later that month, on September 29, Roberts was confirmed by the Senate as the 17th Chief Justice by a 78–22 vote. He took the Constitutional oath of office, administered by Associate Justice John Paul Stevens at the White House, that same day. On October 3, he took the judicial oath provided for by the Judiciary Act of 1789 at the United States Supreme Court building, prior to the first oral arguments of the 2005 term. At the time of his nominations, Roberts was serving as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was appointed to that position in 2003 by President George W. Bush. (en)
In July, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John Roberts to succeed outgoing retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. However, following the death in office Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States William H. Rehnquist, that still-pending nomination was withdrawn. It was announced September 5, 2005 the by President Bush that he would withdraw the nomination of Roberts to O'Connor's associate judgeship and instead nominate Roberts to the position of chief judge. (en)