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WASHINGTON (AP) - Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledged Thursday that relations between Congress and the judiciary are strained and he is relying on a new official to help ease the tension.
Roberts picked a low-key Washington lawyer to oversee the 900-employee office that handles administration for federal courts.
James Duff was a top aide under the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist from 1996-2000. Roberts is a former Rehnquist law clerk.
Duff takes the job following a contentious year for judges and Congress, with unpopular rulings and legislative efforts to stop what critics call "judicial activism."
"It's a good chance for a fresh start and a renewed effort to improve relations between the Hill and the judiciary. And I think Jim will be very effective in doing that," Roberts told Supreme Court reporters in his first sit-down briefing since becoming chief justice last fall.
The chief justice said congressional leaders were consulted on the replacement for Leonidas Ralph Mecham, who was known as a forceful administrator in his 20 years as director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Mecham is retiring.
Roberts said that "something you want to avoid is tensions, disagreements that interrupt the flow of information. What's a problem is when people don't understand what the concerns and issues are because they're not talking as much as they should be."
His main concerns are fair salaries for judges, improved security and affordable courthouse rent, Roberts said.
Duff, a 53-year-old father of three and former member of the University of Kentucky basketball team, will represent the courts in appearances before Congress and ensure that "we understand where they're coming from as well."
Roberts added: "This is a great opportunity for whatever disagreement or lack of communication is built up, for that to be addressed."
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who retired in January, said last year that "in all the years of my life, I don't think I have ever seen relations as strained as they are now" between the judiciary and Congress. "It makes me sad. ... The present climate is such that I worry about the federal judiciary."
Roberts said he was unsure if problems have worsened.
"I don't know if I'd sat down with Chief Justice Rehnquist 10 years ago if he would say there's the same problem in our country today or if it would be different. I just don't know," Roberts told reporters.
Mecham was a Washington lobbyist when the Supreme Court chose him for the job in 1985. The office provides administrative, legal, financial, management, program and information technology services to the federal courts.
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