Pubdate: Fri, 09 Nov 2001
Source: Bergen Record (NJ)
Copyright: 2001 Bergen Record Corp.
Contact:  http://www.bergen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44
Author: Jesse J. Holland (AP)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)

SENATE PANEL ENDORSES WALTERS AS DRUG CZAR

WASHINGTON -- 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 M. 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 deemphasize 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.

Although 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.

Other Democrats agreed, but 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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