Rehnquist Back at Supreme Court Part Time

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist is back at work at the Supreme Court, though only part time. Rehnquist, who has thyroid cancer, missed the court's arguments in November and December while receiving chemotherapy and radiation. A Supreme Court spokeswoman said Wednesday that the 80-year-old returned to the building late last month. "He's been working from both the court and home,'' spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said. Few details have been released about the chief justice's illness, and Rehnquist has said he will not participate in decisions from the dozen cases heard in November unless the remaining eight justices are deadlocked. It is unclear if Rehnquist will be on the bench next week when the court returns from a monthlong break. However, he has accepted an invitation to administer the oath of office to President Bush on Jan. 20. [more]