The US Supreme Court has been neglecting the AmericanAmerica’s business community for years. But that could be about to change if Judge John Roberts becomes the youngest, and most business-savvy, US chief justice in a long time.

The Senate judiciary committee will vote today on the new chief justice. Last week the committee grilled Judge Roberts for three days with barely a mention of the most pressing legal issues affecting US competitiveness: does he think it isis it time for some clear rules on the class-action lawsuits and punitive damages that have run amok in the US? ShouldDoes he believe a handful of plaintiffs should be allowed to sue on behalf of millions of people across the country, with whom they share very little apart from the all-American right to litigate? Is Does he think the US legal system is stifling economic growth and inhibiting innovation?