CQ is reporting that Senate Judiciary Patrich Leahy is determined to proceed with a torture inquiry.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy said Wednesday that if Republicans do not back an independent commission to investigate the George W. Bush administration’s detainee interrogation program, he will launch a committee probe.
"If we can’t get a bipartisan commission to do this then we’ll do it in the usual way," Leahy said.
An independent commission would be preferrable, but so would a Republican party that didn't support the premise that Republicans are above the law. Witness Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
"I’m greatly concerned about reports that the administration may have changed our policy on investigating and possibly prosecuting former administration officials," said ranking Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida. "This is an extremely negative development, when we need to work together to counter extremist Islamic militants who seek our destruction."
Because you can't simultaneously uphold the Constitution and keep the country safe, apparently. And is Rep. Ros-Lehtinen suggesting that Republicans won't work with Democrats and the President "to counter extremist Islamic militants" if investigations take place? That sounds a little like blackmail. Wouldn't that be treason?