(Host) Senator Patrick Leahy says the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the confirmation of Attorney General-designate Eric Holder later this week.
Holder spent two days appearing before the Leahy’s Judiciary Committee.
Leahy quickly tackled one of the most controversial issues that has confronted attorneys general in recent years during his questioning of Holder.
Leahy: "Do you agree with me that waterboarding is torture and illegal?”
Holder: "If you look at the history of the use of that technique, used by the Khmer Rouge, used in the Inquisition, used by the Japanese and prosecuted by us as war crimes. We prosecuted our own soldiers for using it in Vietnam. I agree with you, Mr. Chairman, waterboarding is torture.”
Leahy: "Do you believe other world leaders would have the authority to authorize the torture of United States citizens if they deemed it necessary for their national security?”
Holder: "No they would not. It would violate the international obligations that I think all civilized nations have agreed to, the Geneva Conventions.”
Leahy: "Do you believe the president of the United States has authority to exercise a commander in chief override and immunize acts of torture.”
Holder: "Mr. Chairman, no one is above the law.”
(Host) Some of the questions were more pointed. Republicans challenged Holder on his role in pardons during former President Clinton’s administration. And there were questions about some of his work in private practice.
But Holder is expected to win more than enough votes on Leahy’s committee and in the full Senate to win confirmation. The committee votes Wednesday morning.