Political Quotes

“I oppose the conference report on the intelligence authorization bill. I was troubled to learn the Intelligence Committees inserted in the conference report a provision to apply the Army Field Manual to the CIA program. This was done without any hearing or vote in either the House or the Senate. I strongly regret the committee chose this course of action since it denies the Senate the opportunity to fully appreciate the implications of such a restriction on the CIA program. It would be a colossal mistake for us to apply the Army Field Manual to the operations of the CIA. I have been briefed on the current CIA program to interrogate high value targets. It is aggressive, effective, lawful and in compliance with our legal obligations. Unfortunately, the intelligence authorization bill as currently drafted will destroy the CIA program. I believe in flexibility for the CIA program within the boundaries of current law. The CIA must have the ability to gather intelligence for the war on terror. In this new war, knowledge of the enemy and its plan is vitally important and the Army Field Manual provision will weaken our intelligence gathering operations. It is regrettable that the debate on the intelligence authorization bill has become a debate about waterboarding. Waterboarding is not part of the CIA program. However, waterboarding, under any circumstances, represents a clear violation of U.S. law and it was the clear intent of Congress to prohibit this practice.”