Washington




, DC




– U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)



, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the release of four previously undisclosed opinions from the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice regarding interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration.

“I commend President Obama and Attorney General Holder for releasing four opinions from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) today. Attorney General Holder assured members of the Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing that he would restore the rule of law at the Department of Justice, and he has taken an important step today.  I am pleased that after reviewing the opinions and the interrogation techniques described, the OLC has decided to withdraw them, and has made absolutely clear that our government does not condone torture.”