Martin Heinrich: “torture is wrong, it is un-American, and it doesn't work. Recognizing these important realities, the President signed an…”

“torture is wrong, it is un-American, and it doesn't work. Recognizing these important realities, the President signed an Executive order in January of 2009 that limited interrogations by any American personnel to the guidelines that are in the Army Field Manual, and he reinforced U.S. commitment to the Geneva Conventions. This closed the book on the Bush administration's interrogation program. But make no mistake--these weren't enhanced interrogations. This was torture. I would challenge anyone to read this report and not be truly disturbed by some of these techniques. Releasing the Intelligence Committee's study of the CIA's detention and interrogation program to the American people today will finally provide a thorough accounting of what happened and how it happened. In addition, like my colleague and friend from Maine who spoke before me, I hope this process helps to ensure that it never ever happens again. This was a grave chapter in our history, and the actions taken under this program cost our Nation global credibility, and--let's be blunt-- they put American lives at risk. Some have suggested that releasing this report could put American lives at risk. But let's be clear. It has been the use of torture that has unnecessarily put Americans in harm's way. There is no question that there will never be a good time to release this study.…”