Today, the Senate brought the Intelligence Authorization Bill
to the floor, which contained a provision from Sen. Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA) establishing one interrogation standard across the government.
The bill requires the intelligence community to abide by the
same standards as articulated in the Army Field Manual and bans
waterboarding.
Just hours ago, the Senate voted in favor of the bill, 51-45.
Earlier today, ThinkProgress noted that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ),
a former prisoner of war, has spoken strongly in favor of implementing
the Army Field Manual standard. When confronted today with the
decision of whether to stick with his conscience or cave to
the right wing, McCain chose to ditch his principles and instead
vote to preserve waterboarding:
Mr. McCain, a former prisoner
of war, has consistently voiced opposition to waterboarding
and other methods that critics say is a form torture. But the
Republicans, confident of a White House veto, did not mount
the challenge. Mr. McCain voted “no” on Wednesday
afternoon.
(Article continues below)
The New York Times Times notes that “the White House
has long said Mr. Bush will veto the bill, saying it ‘would
prevent the president from taking the lawful actions necessary
to protect Americans from attack in wartime.’”
After Bush vetoes the bill, McCain will again be confronted
with a vote to either stand with President Bush or stand against
torture. He indicated with his vote today where he will come
down on that issue.
John McCain: He was against waterboarding before he was for
it.
