Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Senate Bans Waterboarding, Faces Veto

Measure hamstrings US intelligence operations, Bush says

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2008 7:01 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – The Senate today passed a measure that would outlaw harsh interrogation techniques such as waterboarding—though the ban is part of a larger intelligence bill President Bush has promised to veto, the New York Times reports. Passed by the House in December, the bill cleared the Senate 51-45, largely along party lines.

"Retaliation is the way of the world," said Sen Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat. "What we do to others, they will do to us—but worse." The bill would require the CIA to comply with the Army's guidelines on questioning detainees, which forbid harsh interrogations. John McCain, a former POW, opposes waterboarding but voted against the measure because he says the Army manual is too restrictive, Reuters reports.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shakes hands with President Bush after introducing him at the International Republican Institute dinner in Washington, in this May 18, 2005 file photo. Bush later received the organization's 2005 Freedom Award from McCain. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shakes hands with President Bush after introducing him at the International Republican Institute dinner in Washington, in this May 18, 2005 file photo. Bush later received the...   (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., right, gestures while meeting reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement on an economic stimulus package. At left is Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., right, gestures while meeting reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement on an...   (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. discusses Senate action on the Foreign intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Tuesday, Feb. 12,2008, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. discusses Senate action on the Foreign intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Tuesday, Feb. 12,2008, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP...   (Associated Press)
President George Bush disembarks Air Force One Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in San Francisco, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
President George Bush disembarks Air Force One Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in San Francisco, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related links

How politics plays into bill
Guardian (UK)

Waterboarding a potental issue in 9/11 trials
Associated Press

Tough tactics could be appropriate, Scalia says
Associated Press

 
John McCain • waterboarding • Bush veto • harsh interrogation • George W. Bush

More Newser Stories

Osama Intel Boosts Waterboarding Fans

Secret White House Memos OK'd Waterboarding

Is He Against Torture?

Prosecute Bush, Cronies: Human Rights Watch

Torture Didn't Lead Us to bin Laden
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne