Patrick Leahy: “Mr. Presdient, this Report contains a provision that reinforces the prohibition against our Government engaging in…”

“Mr. Presdient, this Report contains a provision that reinforces the prohibition against our Government engaging in torture. It expressly prohibits interrogation techniques that are not authorized by the United States Army Field Manual. By passing this bill, we will not only respond to this administration's ambiguity about torture by reiterating that it is off the table, we will be sending a message to the world that the United States is a country that does not tolerate torture. Whether waterboarding is torture and illegal does not depend on the circumstances. When it comes to our core values--that which makes our country great and defines America's place in the world--it does not depend on the circumstances. America, the great and good Nation that has been a beacon to the world on human rights, does not torture and should stand against torture. Let me be clear. This provision should not be necessary. Waterboarding, and other forms of torture, are already clearly illegal. Waterboarding has been recognized as torture for the last 500 years. President Teddy Roosevelt prosecuted American soldiers for waterboarding more than 100 years ago. We prosecuted Japanese soldiers for waterboarding Americans during World War II. I support this provision, despite the fact that there is no question that waterboarding is already illegal, because this administration has chosen to ignore the law.…”