01.16.01

Opening Statement of Senator Maria Cantwell Hearing on the Nomination of John Ashcroft to be Attorney General of the United States January 16, 2001

Senator Ashcroft, I join with my colleagues in welcoming you to the Judiciary Committee, a committee on which you have served and which I am just joining. I am honored that my first appearance on this committee involves the consideration of an extremely important nomination, that of the Attorney General of the United States.

I share my colleagues' belief that the president has historically been deferred to in his choice of nominees for the Cabinet. Nonetheless, the Constitution entrusts the Senate with providing advice and consent on those nominees and we must take that duty extremely seriously. As members of the Judiciary Committee and the United States Senate, we must ensure that our deference is tempered by consideration of the qualifications of the nominee and his or her willingness to abide by and uphold the laws of the land.

On the first point, Senator Ashcroft, it appears that your background would indicate that you have the credentials for this position. You have devoted many years to public service, including serving as Attorney General of the State of Missouri, as well as Governor and Senator from that state. I am sure that I speak for all of us on the Judiciary Committee when I say that there are no doubts that you have extensive and appropriate experience to fill the position of Attorney General of the United States of America.

My questions will focus on the second point: whether you will faithfully and zealously enforce the laws of our land in the areas of women's reproductive rights, including the prevention and prosecution of clinic violence. I will have questions on your record on enforcing and upholding the civil rights of all Americans. And, as a new Senator from the Pacific Northwest, I hope to determine your intentions on enforcing and upholding laws that protect our clean air and water, our natural resources, and the environment - all issues that are critically important to my constituents and all Americans.

Along with my colleagues, I believe that each American citizen should feel assured that our Justice Department will defend his or her constitutionally protected rights. During the hearing, I will be interested in learning whether and to what extent you would enforce our laws and protect those rights despite your strong opposition to some of the laws you would be in charge of enforcing.

I look forward to my first hearing as a member of the Judiciary Committee and listening to your answers to our questions.

Thank you.