Pubdate: Thu, 08 Nov 2001
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Jesse J. Holland

PANEL OKS BUSH'S DRUG-POLICY CHOICE

WASHINGTON ญญ (Associated Press) John Walters' nomination to lead President 
Bush's national drug policy is on its way to the full Senate for approval, 
despite opposition from top Democrats on a Senate committee.

Walters' nomination was sent on to the Senate floor by the Senate Judiciary 
Committee by a 14-5 vote.

Top Democrats on the committee voting against his nomination included 
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont and former chairmen 
Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Joseph Biden of Delaware. Also voting 
against Walters were Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and 
Charles Schumer of New York.

Walters served as acting White House drug policy director in 1993 but quit 
when President Clinton announced a reorientation of anti-narcotics policy 
to de-emphasize law enforcement and interdiction.

He attacked the Clinton administration's anti-narcotics advertising 
campaigns and advocated severe prison sentences for marijuana smugglers and 
repeat offenders.

While he took a softer line after his nomination, "he is ideological in a 
time when our efforts to prevent drug abuse call for cooperation and 
pragmatism," Leahy said.

While other Democrats agreed, they said it wasn't enough to vote against 
Walters. "The standard for voting against a Cabinet member has not been 
met," said Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

Republicans pointed out that Walters was one of the last unconfirmed 
Cabinet members, and that his position as "drug czar" could be potentially 
important in fighting drug use in the country. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., 
pointed out that Democrats confirmed Attorney General John Ashcroft's 
nomination despite harboring doubts about how Ashcroft would use the position.

"I would hope we could give Mr. Walters the same benefit of the doubt," Kyl 
said.
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