On the recordNovember 30, 2011
I thank my friend, the Senator from Connecticut, first, for his leadership in this body on national security. We both had the privilege of serving our States as attorneys general. The answer is no. This is an amendment, I point out, that not only is Senator Lieberman sponsoring--and I appreciate his experience and leadership on this most important national security issue--but Senator Chambliss, vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, as well as Senator Graham and Senator Cornyn, who are both members of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the Judiciary Committee. It is very important to be clear about what this amendment would and would not do. This proposal takes every possible measure to put into place intelligence-gathering practices that honor our American values and laws. Our amendment in no way condones or authorizes torture. There have been many groups trying to misrepresent what is in this amendment. Any new interrogation techniques that are developed would be required to comply with the U.N. Convention Against Torture, the Military Commissions Act, the Detainee Treatment Act, as well as section 2441 of Title 18 U.S. Code that relates to war crimes.
