Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2001
Source: CNN (US Web)
Copyright: 2001 Cable News Network, Inc
Contact:  http://www.cnn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/65
Author: Kelli Arena

SOURCES - ARKANSAS CONGRESSMAN TO HEAD DEA

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Administration sources tell CNN that Rep. Asa 
Hutchinson, an Arkansas Republican, will be named head of the Drug 
Enforcement Administration.

The third-term congressman currently serves on the House Judiciary 
Committee. He has long been considered a friend of the DEA because he 
supports legislation calling for stricter anti-drug enforcement.

Hutchinson's office had no comment.

Hutchinson, 50, is the brother of Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Arkansas, and was 
a U.S. attorney in northwest Arkansas from 1982 until 1985. He is in his 
third term in the House.

A former chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, Hutchinson was one of 
several House Judiciary members who came into the public spotlight during 
President Clinton's impeachment in 1998 and 1999. He played an active role 
in the impeachment process, serving as one of the House "managers" of the 
Senate impeachment trial of the president.

In the impeachment trial, Hutchinson claimed Clinton "used whatever means 
available to evade the truth, destroy evidence, tamper with witnesses, and 
any other actions required to prevent evidence coming forth in the civil 
rights case that would prove a truth contrary to the president's interest." 
The civil rights case referred to sexual harassment claims raised by Paula 
Jones against the then-president.

A graduate of Bob Jones University in South Carolina -- the fundamentalist 
college where President Bush made a controversial appearance early in the 
2000 presidential campaign -- Hutchinson also has gathered attention for 
his support of a major overhaul of the nation's campaign finance system.

Administration officials said the formal announcement will come later this 
week.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth