PI Action alerts & updates ... 2001
Project Inform Statement of Opposition to Nomination of John Ashcroft
as Attorney General
Project Inform, a national HIV/AIDS treatment information and advocacy
organization opposes the nomination of former Missouri Senator John
Ashcroft as Attorney General of the United States. We believe that
the Attorney General, as the chief enforcer of the law and guardian
of individual civil rights must have a clear and demonstrated understanding
and commitment to the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and
other disabilities. Upon review of Senator Ashcroft’s voting
record and public statements, we believe that he is an unacceptable
choice for this position.
Our opposition is based on Senator Ashcroft’s specific votes
and actions on HIV/AIDS issues, including:
- Senator Ashcroft refused to co-sponsor a bill to reverse a law
that mandated discharge of HIV positive service members. In effect,
he signaled his support for this law, which deprived more than
1,000 service members of health coverage. (1995)
- Senator Ashcroft refused to co-sponsor reauthorization of the
Ryan White CARE Act, a federal program supporting care and treatment
services to people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide. (1996 and
2000)
- Senator Ashcroft supported an amendment by Senator Jesse Helms
(R-NC) that would cut off funding to gay community health centers
nationwide that provide care to men, women, and children with
HIV/AIDS. This provision was defeated in conference committee.
(1995)
Senator Ashcroft opposed a bi-partisan amendment by Senators John
Chafee (R-RI) and Kent Conrad (D-ND), to the Budget Reconciliation
Act, S. 1357, that would guarantee coverage under the Medicaid program
for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, including people
living with HIV/AIDS, who are eligible for Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) benefits. (1995)
Senator Ashcroft has shown, by word, deed, and association a pattern
of insensitivity to the needs and concerns of people with AIDS and
other disabilities and thus, we feel he cannot be trusted to fully
protect their rights as Attorney General.
While Project Inform opposes the selection of Senator Ashcroft
based on his position on HIV/AIDS issues, we also stand in support
with the growing coalition of civil rights, environmental, health,
and pro-choice organizations that argue that Senator Ashcroft’s
views on these important issues are outside the mainstream of society
and render him unfit to lead the Justice Department.
Project Inform applauds California Senator Barbara Boxer for her
pledge to oppose Senator Ashcroft’s nomination. We urge Senator
Feinstein to announce her opposition to this nomination as well.
