"I compliment Sen. Lott for taking this courageous step. He is putting the good of country and party ahead of his own personal ambitions. Sen. Lott's stepping down is a recognition that his comments were wrong and divisive.
"As incoming Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I applaud his work as leader as I created bipartisan legislation with he and other Senators. At this time I plan to support Sen. Bill Frist as the next Senate Majority Leader.
"I hope now we can move forward, as a Congress and a nation, with a renewed dedication to equality for all Americans."