Frist Says He Expects Agreement on Prisoner Abuse Ban (Update1)

Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said he expects lawmakers and the Bush administration will reach agreement on a proposal to ban the use of torture in interrogations of suspected terrorists.

Frist said a measure sponsored by Senator John McCain would clarify vague U.S. policies so interrogators know how aggressive they can be when getting information from suspected terrorists. The Senate passed the measure 90-9 as an amendment to the defense spending bill.

``We will come to some understanding which will allow us, in ways consistent with our values, that is legal, to get the appropriate information to protect us,'' Frist, of Tennessee, said today on ``Fox News Sunday.''

McCain's provision barring cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners is one of several in legislation setting military policy that address controversies triggered by the global war on terror and the conflict in Iraq. The House and Senate passed separate versions of the bill and are now crafting a compromise.

McCain, an Arizona Republican who was tortured as a prisoner in the Vietnam War, wants the U.S. military standard for prisoner abuse to reflect United Nations treaty language. President George W. Bush initially threatened to veto any legislation with McCain's amendment. The administration has offered to go along with the provision if CIA agents working overseas were exempted.

``The United States does not torture,'' Frist said. ``There will be clarification of what we mean. How aggressive can one be to get information -- not torture, but, you know, what does degrading mean?''

Hurdles

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said on NBC's ``Meet the Press'' that hurdles to an agreement on a torture ban remain because wants to administration wants to create an exemption or waiver for some U.S. personnel and for past offenses.

``I'm willing to provide a defense to an operative who is acting reasonably and responsibly, following the law, making hard judgment calls,'' Graham said. ``What we cannot do, what Senator McCain cannot allow to happen or our country cannot allow to happen is to create immunity or exceptions in the law that has protected us for 60 years.''

Allowing any use of torture or an exemption would threaten U.S. troops who might be captured in future conflict, he said.

Alito Nomination

On another matter before lawmakers, Frist said he is prepared to change Senate rules on debate if Democrats try to block Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court through a filibuster.

``It would be unconscionable -- I think it would be wrong - - I think it would be against the intent of the founding fathers and our Constitution to deny Sam Alito an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate,'' Frist said.

Republicans have threatened to use their 55-45 Senate majority to strip the Democrats of their ability to use unlimited debate, known as a filibuster, to hold up nominations. Democrats argued that filibusters are an institutional tool to protect the rights of the minority party.

It takes 60 votes to end a filibuster.

Democrats including Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware have said they may oppose Alito because of his past stances on issues such as affirmative action, abortion and reapportioning legislative districts.

Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Frist ``has thrown down the gauntlet'' with his statement.

``The American people know that checks and balances are an integral part of our government,'' Schumer said in an e-mailed statement.

The Senate will begin Alito's confirmation hearings on Jan. 9.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Catherine Larkin in Washington at clarkin4@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: December 11, 2005 17:56 EST

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