Jane Harman: “Mr. Speaker, for the last several years, Congress has been unable to pass an intelligence authorization bill. This means…”

“Mr. Speaker, for the last several years, Congress has been unable to pass an intelligence authorization bill. This means that the Intelligence Committee, entrusted with major responsibilities, a committee on which I was proud to serve for 8 years, 4 of those as ranking member, has been prevented from setting the direction for our intelligence community. Finally this year, Mr. Speaker, the House and Senate agreed on a responsible bill and included in that responsible bill language to end the so-called ``CIA loophole'' on interrogations. The President has vetoed that bill and continues to insist irresponsibly, in my view, that Congress shall not impose a legal framework around interrogation policy. I strongly disagree and rise to override his veto. Interrogations are a crucial tool in the effort to prevent and disrupt attacks against America, and Congress should not abdicate our obligation to legislate. Aside from stating the case, the Bush administration has never offered proof that extreme interrogation techniques like waterboarding are effective. I believe Senator John McCain who says that waterboarding is torture, that such techniques do not work. Article I, section 8 of our Constitution requires Congress to ``regulate captures on land and water.'' This is our responsibility. We have seen the erosion of respect for America that comes from scandals like Abu Ghraib and incarceration without end at Guantanamo Bay.”