By Kathryn Watson, May 9, 2018

Sen. John McCain is urging the Senate to reject Gina Haspel, President Trump's pick to run the CIA, claiming Haspel's "refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying."

McCain, who is home at his ranch in Arizona as he battles brain cancer, made the statement after Haspel testified in her confirmation on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning. McCain said Haspel had a chance to "explain her involvement in the so-called enhanced interrogation program during the Bush administration, and account for the mistakes the country made in torturing detainees held" after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Haspel has vowed not to restart any enhanced interrogation program, and said she would resist an order from the president to waterboard any detainees. Haspel repeatedly said she believes in a strict moral standard.

"My parents gave me a moral compass, I would never ever take CIA back to an interrogation program," she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "CIA follows the law, we followed the law then, we follow the law today. I support the law, I wouldn't support a change in the law. But I would not put CIA officers at risk to undertake risky controversial activity again."

McCain was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War at the Hanoi Hilton, where he spent years in solitary confinement and was subject to torture and abuse. McCain returned after five-and-a-half years with white hair and the injuries he sustained would affect him for the rest of his life. During the Bush administration, McCain pushed for the White House to ban cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment for those in U.S. custody.

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"I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country and has devoted her professional life to its service and defense," McCain noted. "However, Ms. Haspel's role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying. I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mccain...-interrogation/


"When John McCain steps down from the U.S. Senate, there is a good chance that the seat will flip to a Republican." Argus Hamilton