Mr. Chairman, I'd like to voice my support for the nomination of John Ashcroft to become the next Attorney General of the United States. Despite the well-publicized, well-financed attempts orchestrated by outside groups to smear his good name, I'm confident that Senator Ashcroft will survive this reckless campaign that has snowballed into an avalanche of innuendo, rumor and spin.
The president's nominee for the nation's top law enforcer in the country is arguably one of the most highly qualified candidates this body has ever had the privilege to cast its advice and consent upon for U.S. Attorney General. As a twice-elected Governor of Missouri, John Ashcroft has also served as the Show-Me-State's Attorney General and for six years as our colleague in the United States Senate.
In addition to his exemplary professional credentials, there is another issue that his supporters and detractors alike must agree on. That is, our former colleague, Senator John Ashcroft, is a man of unquestionable integrity and principle. He's a man of his word. Just ask the people of Missouri, who not once, but time and time again, have placed their trust in him for statewide elected office.
So when I asked John Ashcroft at the Judiciary Committee hearing whether he would pay attention to areas of special concern to me and my Iowa constituents, I believe him. As a fellow Midwesterner, John and I come from states where agricultural issues are key components of our economy, culture and heritage. He shares my concerns about the challenges confronting family farmers in the new century. I believe John Ashcroft understands the importance of fostering competitive markets and a level playing field for farmers and independent producers. I also believe that he understands that airline competition is crucial for the economic viability of Americans in small and rural communities. So I look forward to keeping the lines of communication wide open between my office and his when it comes to fighting for the interests of Rural America.
I also want to get some additional clarification from John about the way the False Claims Act will be enforced by the Justice Department under his watch. I plan to discuss this area of the law further with John prior to the floor vote, so I can get a clearer understanding of his priorities and commitments regarding this important issue.
Senator Ashcroft's opponents have sought to paint John Ashcroft as a racist, tainted by his principles, and unfit to lead the Department of Justice. In my view, they've been unable to make their case. Despite their best efforts, accusations of racism and bias just don't stick. John Ashcroft's by-the-book approach to governing rises above and beyond the decibel level of his detractors.
In the six years that I had the privilege of working with John Ashcroft in the Senate, I can unequivocally say that he has a sharp command of the law and that he is a man of his word. So when John Ashcroft testified before us under oath that he will enforce the laws of this land, for all Americans, I am fully confident he will do so. More importantly, having filled the shoes of Senator, Governor and Attorney General, John Ashcroft understands the difference between legislating and enforcing. Remember, both the National Association of Attorneys General and the National Governors' Association picked Mr. Ashcroft to represent their organizations respectively.
In recent years, misrepresentations and bald-faced lies coming out of Washington have eroded the electorate's faith and trust in public office holders. Thankfully, that's not the way a majority of us operates. And that's certainly not the way my friend and neighbor John Ashcroft has built up an impressive record of public service. As I said at the Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination, John's integrity will bring a breath of fresh air to the executive branch of the federal government.
Everyone in this institution comes to the Senate with a set of ideals and principles that serves as their guiding compass. Whether it's based in conservatism, liberalism or something, somewhere in-between, each of us in this chamber has the privilege and responsibility to cast a vote of conscience. I ask my colleagues on this Committee to join me in supporting John Ashcroft for Attorney General of the United States, and to vote him out of Committee. And when the presiding officer calls for the yeas and nays on his nomination on the floor, let the yeas put the avalanche of distortions and unwarranted criticisms of this good man to rest. Let the yeas confirm John Ashcroft as our next Attorney General of the United States.