WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement Sunday regarding one of the most underreported aspects of the terrorist detainee story:
“We have not heard much from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle yet, but I know they are going to want to participate in this debate. And we are going to want to hear from them.
“For example, I imagine it would be awkward for many of my Democrat colleagues to go home and explain a vote to provide sensitive, classified information to terrorists, to shut down an intelligence program that we know has helped save lives, or to allow international courts to define the meaning of Common Article III—rather than the U.S. Congress—and put our troops at risk.
“What we do know for sure, without question — no ambiguity — is that the current program works and has saved us from terrorist attacks and prevented us from being attacked again at home for over five years. The President needs tools to conduct these programs effectively to protect Americans at home. His proposal for terrorist detainees is one of those important tools. We do not all agree at this point, but we will have that discussion on the Senate floor.”