NewsMax.com Wires
Friday, Aug. 3, 2001

The Senate vote came one day after it also, by a vote of 98-1, confirmed former Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., as chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The 56-year-old Mueller received a warm reception from the Senate Judiciary Committee during two days of hearings earlier this week as senators of both parties made it clear they believed the FBI desperately needs reform.

Mueller told the committee his highest priority would be to "restore the public's confidence in the FBI," which has been plagued by bad publicity and mistakes.

Senators told Mueller they expect him to take aggressive steps to revamp the bureau's management structure, culture and technology infrastructure that lawmakers said have contributed to embarrassing blunders.

"The FBI is in desperate need of a director who will make drastic changes to the bureau's management culture," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said on Monday.

Democrats and Republicans also told Mueller that Congress expects to play an active role in implementing those changes.

"Congress sometimes has followed a hands-off approach about the FBI," said Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "Until the bureau's problems are solved, we will need a hands-on approach for a while."

Mueller promised a bureau culture that would encourage officials to admit mistakes, communicate better with Congress, and hold managers, particularly those at high levels, accountable for their actions.

"I believe the FBI can, and must, do a better job dealing with mistakes," Mueller said. "If I have the honor of being confirmed by the Senate, I will make it my highest priority to restore the public's confidence in the FBI: to re-earn the faith and trust of the American people."

He has served as the U.S. attorney in San Francisco and was acting head of the Justice Department during the transition between administrations after the 2000 election.

Copyright 2001 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

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