Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey Before the House Judiciary...(intended to safeguard the integrityof th...),Health

In all of this, we will be driven by what the law and the facts require, and only by that. In fact, I have said many times, both to members of the public and to Department employees, that we must pursue all of our cases in that manner. I have also said many times that we must hire our career people without regard for improper political considerations. And I have acted, and will continue to act, to insure that my words are translated into reality.

I am well aware of the allegations that politics has played an inappropriate role at the Justice Department. Too many of those allegations were borne out in a recent report by the Department's Offices of the Inspector General and Professional Responsibility on hiring for the Honors Program and for the Summer Law Intern Program.

Even before I became Attorney General last fall, however, the Justice Department had taken many significant steps to remedy the problems that existed. I have since taken several additional steps, and we will continue to take any and all steps that are warranted. It is absolutely crucial that the American people have complete confidence in the propriety of what we do, and I will work to make certain they can have such confidence.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I look forward to your questions.