In over 15 hours of debate, many Democratic senators have announced their firm opposition Senator John Ashcroft’s nomination for the position of Attorney General, citing his record of anti-woman, anti-abortion, anti-civil rights, and anti-lesbian and gay stances. Senators who oppose Ashcroft’s nomination have expressed grave concerns regarding the contradictions between Ashcroft’s testimony and his actions as Missouri State senator and Missouri State Attorney General. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said, “I don’t know how you can believe something so passionately one day, and then say you’re going to put it on the shelf.” Mikulski continued, “I am convinced that Senator Ashcroft cannot uphold the mission of the Department of Justice. He is the wrong man, at the wrong time, at the wrong agency. Senator’s Ashcroft’s record on civil rights, on a woman’s right to choose, and on judicial appointments is divisive and inappropriate to the role of Attorney General of the United States.”
While 51 votes against Ashcroft would be required to stop his confirmation and 41 are required to filibuster the nomination, Democrats are hoping to send a strong message to President Bush that they will unit to fight any Federal Court or Supreme Court nominees who share his anti-abortion, anti-woman’s rights and anti-civil rights views.
Update 2/1/01 5 pm: Thank Senators who Voted “No” on Ashcroft!
