Sen. Biden To Oppose Mukasey Nomination For Attorney General

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Nov. 1: Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Joseph Biden issued this statement after hearing remarks made by Judge Michael Mukasey, one of the nominees being considered to replace Alberto Gonzales as U.S. attorney general. Judge Mukasey evaded the question posed to him regarding waterboarding as a form of torture used on detainees.

I am disappointed by Judge Mukasey’s response,” commented Senator Biden. “He was asked a direct question on the specifics of waterboarding, and he refused to unequivocally state that this practice is torture. For this reason, I shall oppose his nomination to be the United States Attorney General.”

Waterboarding is by any standard, torture. I call on my colleagues today to support legislation I introduced this summer banning waterboarding and other forms of torture. We need to send a clear message that torture, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees is unacceptable and is not permitted by U.S. law. Period.