Calling Senators’ concerns "ill considered," Chief Justice Rehnquist responded yesterday to an inquiry request filed by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and Joe Lieberman.

In a letter dated January 22, 2004, Senators Leahy and Lieberman call into question Justice Scalia’s ability to remain impartial in considering the Cheney energy case in light of his personal relationship with the Vice President. The letter specifically requests the Court to explain what "canons, procedures and rules are in place for Supreme Court justices to determine whether they must or should recuse themselves under [federal law] or any other relevant ethical rule or interpretation."

In strong defense of his colleague and the judicial branch, Justice Rehnquist responded that "each Justice must decide such a question for himself."

To read the Chief Justice’s letter, click here.

To read the Senators’ letter, click here.

To read more about Judicial Recusal, read "True Justice, Like Beauty, Is In the Eye of the Beholder."