Orrin Hatch: “I am pleased that the Judiciary Committee yesterday evening favorably reported the nomination of Senator John Ashcroft…”

“I am pleased that the Judiciary Committee yesterday evening favorably reported the nomination of Senator John Ashcroft to be the next Attorney General of the United States. I look forward to a fair debate of Senator Ashcroft's qualifications and am hopeful that we could move to a vote on his confirmation this week. It is important that we confirm Senator Ashcroft as soon as possible so that the President has his Cabinet in place and he can move ahead with the people's agenda. John Ashcroft is no stranger to most of us in this body. We have served with him during his 6 years of service as the Senator representing Missouri, some had worked with him when he was Governor and some others had worked with him when he was the Attorney General of Missouri. In the Senate, he served on the Judiciary Committee with distinction over the past four years--working closely with members on both sides of the aisle. As a member of the committee, he proved himself a leader in many areas, including the fight against drugs and violence, the assessment of the proper role of the Justice Department, and the protection of victims' rights. But, having heard the relentless drumbeat of accusation after accusation in recent weeks, I can fairly say, in my view, that there has been an unyielding effort to redefine this man of unlimited integrity.”