Harkin to Vote Against Alito

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Iowa's two U.S. senators will cancel out each other's votes on President Bush's latest nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. While Republican Chuck Grassley says he'll support Samuel Alito, Democrat Tom Harkin announced this morning he will oppose the nomination. Harkin, who authored the Americans with Disabilities Act, fears Alito would help to overturn the legislation.

Harkin says "Based on his record, I'm gravely concerned that Judge Alito does not believe that Congress has the authority to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans. Take, for example, a year 2000 case, where he ruled that Congress lacked the authority to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act." Harkin says Alito consistently favors the rights of states over the rights of people, particularly when people with disabilities are involved.