Asa Hutchinson: “I want to take just 1 minute to say a word of commendation for my colleague, John Ashcroft. As the Judiciary Committee…”

“I want to take just 1 minute to say a word of commendation for my colleague, John Ashcroft. As the Judiciary Committee, at this very hour, prepares to meet for a vote on his confirmation, I say that this man of honor and integrity has gone through an unprecedented ordeal in his desire to serve this country as Attorney General. I cannot imagine any person who comes to that position with greater qualifications or a greater sense of integrity. I do not believe my colleagues on either side of the aisle would question this man's commitment nor his faith. In fact, I suggest no one would argue but that he is the man of deepest faith in this body, and yet that very faith commitment has been turned on its head to make it an issue against his confirmation. I find that astounding and very disappointing. The fact that people would ask, can John Ashcroft enforce the laws because of his religion and his faith--John had the best answer to it when he said before the Judiciary Committee: I will enforce the laws of this land because of my faith.”