SENATE CONFIRMS HUTCHINSON AS DEA CHIEF

WASHINGTON -- GOP Rep. Asa Hutchinson, one of
the House prosecutors in former President Clinton's impeachment trial,
won Senate confirmation Wednesday to lead the Drug Enforcement
Administration. "I am thrilled that the Senate had given its consent
to my nomination," Hutchinson, R-Ark., said after the 98-1 voice vote
by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

"It is difficult to leave Congress, but I am excited to have the
opportunity to serve Arkansas and the country by beginning our great
national crusade against illegal drugs," said Hutchinson, 50.

The lone dissenting vote came from Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., who said
he disagreed with Hutchinson's support of "the escalation of the drug
war in Colombia." "He also evidenced no understanding of the effect on
our criminal justice and our penal system of draconian fixed
sentencing for possession of small amount of drugs," Dayton continued.
"And he rejected outright the possibility of decriminalization of
marijuana for strictly medicinal purposes." Not voting was Sen. John
McCain, R-Ariz.

Asa Hutchinson did not say when he would resign, saying he had to
coordinate the timing with the White House. Arkansas Gov. Mike
Huckabee will set dates for the special election to determine who will
occupy Hutchinson's seat after his resignation.