U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D. CO), a strong supporter of gay rights and marriage equality, who is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee is concerned about Defense Secretary nominee and former Senator Chuck Hagel's (R. NE) and his past remarks about gay and lesbian rights:
http://kdvr.com/...
Udall, a Democrat facing reelection in 2014, met with Hagel earlier this month and has yet to indicate that he will support the president’s nominee.
“Will you ensure that the Dept. of Defense, in accommodating religious beliefs or matters of conscience, does not tolerate discrimination or harm to others?” Udall asked.
“Absolutely. I will faithfully, diligently enforce our laws,” Hagel responded. “All men and women deserve the same rights and I can assure you that that will be a high priority, that I will enforce that and assure that in every way throughout the entire line, the chain of command and accountability.” - Fox 31 Denver, 1/31/13
After the hearing Udall stated that he would vote to confirm Hagel as Secretary of Defense:
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
"Sen. Hagel showed me today and throughout his confirmation process that he understands the issues facing the U.S. military, and that he agrees we need to pursue a smart, but tough national security policy," Udall said in a statement. "I believe he will stand with Israel and our allies, take every necessary step to prevent a nuclear Iran, treat all service members equally regardless of their sexual orientation and strengthen our cybersecurity." - TPM, 1/31/13
But Udall, who is also a strong vocal advocate of civil liberties in the Senate, is not thrilled about John Brennan being nominated for the head of the C.I.A.:
http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/...
“I was deeply disappointed today during my meeting with John Brennan. A few weeks ago, I had asked that he be prepared to discuss at today’s meeting the findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s comprehensive study on the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation program. Not only was he not prepared to discuss the important findings, but he hadn’t reviewed the report at all,” Udall said. - Greta Wire, 1/30/13
Udall's concerns with Brennan's nomination are valid. Brennan served as deputy executive director of the agency beginning in 2001. Multiple sources claim that Brennan had detailed knowledge of the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" including waterboarding. Brennan's involvement with the "enhanced interrogation techniques" and whether or not he objected to such techniques are sure to be questions Udall will be asking Brennan:
http://summitcountyvoice.com/...
“Brennan promised today to review the findings before the Intelligence Committee’s confirmation hearing next Thursday. I intend to hold him to that promise, and I hope Mr. Brennan will be more forthcoming in his testimony next week. I understand that he may not see it in his or the CIA’s interests to criticize the very agency that he hopes to lead, but I see this as an opportunity for Mr. Brennan to correct the record, institute the necessary reforms and help restore the CIA’s reputation for integrity and analytical rigor.” - Summit County Citizens Voice, 1/31/13
The report Udall is referring to was approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee back in December and is currently being reviewed by the Obama administration. The report confirms that intelligence agencies used secret sites to torture prisoners, sometimes using contract employees. What is unclear is if Brennan did or did not raise objections to the enhanced interrogation techniques used to obtain information:
The official records, which include raw CIA operational message traffic that remains classified, are silent on whether he opposed the techniques while at the spy agency, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Brennan served as deputy executive director of the agency beginning in 2001.
Some former officials familiar with deliberations about the program said they don't recall Brennan voicing objections to the use of harsh interrogation techniques.
But other former officials say Brennan was among agency officials who were uncomfortable with the use of physically coercive tactics, despite the legal opinions that supported their use. He expressed concern, according to these officials, that if details of the program became public, it would be CIA officers who would face criticism, rather than the politicians and lawyers who approved them. - WTAQ, 1/30/13
So Brennan better do his homework because Udall will be quizzing him on February 7th.