U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, under congressional pressure to quit over the firing of nine U.S. prosecutors, vowed on Monday to stay and fix problems with the Justice Department.

In testimony prepared for a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Gonzales acknowledged the Justice Department has been shaken by accusations that partisan politics played a role in hiring practices and the administration of justice.

"There are two options available in light of these allegations," Gonzales said. "I could walk away or I could devote my time, effort and energy to fix the problems."

Many questions are expected to deal with his firing last year of nine of the nation's 93 U.S. attorneys. Gonzales contends the dismissals were justified but mishandled.

"There are probably only two people on Earth who think the attorney general ought to stay: Alberto Gonzales and President Bush," Sen. Charles Schumer