On the recordFebruary 6, 2017
the Senate recently voted to confirm Representative Mike Pompeo to be the Director of the CIA. While I do not agree with many of the views that Congressman Pompeo has expressed in the past, I have worked with him on legislation, and I know that he is a dedicated and experienced public servant. I believe he is qualified to lead the CIA at a critical time in our country's history. I was also extremely concerned about the nature of the President's press conference in front of the CIA memorial wall that honors those who lost their lives while in service. This press conference occurred before Representative Pompeo was confirmed by the Senate, and it provided an additional reason for putting seasoned leadership at the Agency without delay. Like many of my colleagues, I was concerned about Congressman Pompeo's past views on torture. That is why I personally asked Representative Pompeo about the use of torture, and as he did at his hearing, he stated unequivocally that he would not use illegal enhanced interrogation techniques at the CIA. Senator Feinstein and I have requested and received written confirmation to reinforce the commitment he made at his hearing to uphold laws that ban torture. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I intend to exercise robust oversight to ensure that these laws are upheld. I am opposed to torture. In 2007, I voted against Michael Mukasey for Attorney General because of his views on waterboarding.…
