Mark Udall: “it is said that actions speak louder than words, but our reputation depends on both. Fair or not, for people around the…”

“it is said that actions speak louder than words, but our reputation depends on both. Fair or not, for people around the world, the actions of a few Americans at Abu Ghraib have left a stain on America's reputation and have made it harder for us to win the war against global jihadists. Erasing that stain and protecting our soldiers will take both respectable actions and credible words. I applaud the Senate for twice voting, once by a 90-9 tally and again by voice vote, to set clear guidelines for interrogating prisoners and to prohibit techniques that do not meet Army regulations in the Geneva Conventions. Making that the law will give credibility to our words about our conduct. If anyone knows about torture, it is the senior Senator from Arizona. What does he say? Senator McCain says the idea America could use torture is killing us. He says torture does not work. It yields answers, but not necessarily the truth. That is wrong, because as Senator McCain says, our men and women in uniform are always, always Americans and different, better, and stronger than those who would destroy us. Mr. Speaker, our troops need clear guidelines, and the Senate amendment provides just that. The House should take a stand and pass this important amendment. ____________________”