WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In dramatic detail former Deputy Attorney General James Comey disclosed new information Tuesday concerning attempts by the White House in 2004 to get Justice Department approval for the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program and disclosed he had considered resigning after disagreements about it.

Calling it "the most difficult time in my period of life," Comey discussed publicly for the first time a hospital visit then White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales made to Attorney General John Ashcroft on March 10, 2004. Ashcroft had become sick the week before, and Comey had been designated the Acting Attorney General.

Comey refused to say publicly the disagreement was over the NSA surveillance program. However, government officials previously confirmed to CNN Comey had "vigorously opposed" aspects of it and refused to sign off on its continued use, prompting Card and Gonzales to make the hospital visit. Comey's revelations came before the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of its investigation into the firing of eight U.S. Attorneys last year.

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-- CNN Senior Producer Kevin Bohn