Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said today that she disagrees with some members of Congress who say that the forthcoming release of a report outlining the CIA's use of torture could endanger our servicemen and women abroad, telling CBS THIS MORNING (7:00-9:00 AM) that "it's essential that this report come out."
McCaskill said that this "is a gut-check moment for our democracy," in an interview which was broadcast live today, Dec. 8, 2014. She added that although it doesn't reflect well on the U.S. to have used torture tactics in interrogations, the fact that the government is releasing the report at all is a good thing.
"This report would never happen in North Korea or China or Russia," said McCaskill. "But in the United States, we hold our government accountable and I think that process is so important, so fundamental to our democracy."
McCaskill also discussed the issue of sexual misconduct in the military, which she said is improving. McCaskill told CBS, "We are changing the climate in the military. We've got a lot of work to do. No question. We are not done."
A partial transcript and full video o the interview follows:
CHARLIE ROSE: Let's talk about the CIA report. Sen. Feinstein, you know her well, obviously, she's a colleague. I assume you've talked to her about this even though you haven't seen the report. Can you tell us what it is that is so damaging that people fear that it might rebound against United States in foreign countries and U.S. personnel?
SEN. CLAIRE McCASKILL: Well I think it exposes what the world already knows, and that is that the United States engaged in torture. But my feeling about this is that this is a gut-check moment for our democracy. The world knows we tortured. But does the world know yet that we'll hold up our values and hold our government accountable? This report would never happen in North Korea or China or Russia. But in the United States, we hold our government accountable and I think that process is so important, so fundamental to our democracy, that it's essential that this report comes out.
ROSE: But those people who may be suggested in the report to have tortured, say that they had authority from the White House-and legal authority-and they reported everything they were doing.
McCASKILL: Well, first of all, I think that the American people need to see the report, and they can judge for themselves as to whether or not this is a learning moment for us. I don't think anybody in America, especially-I mean look at John McCain, who understands so much better than any of us. There has been no one who has been more upfront about how important it is that we get beyond this ever happening again, in terms of using torture. And by the way, I think the report will help us all understand whether or not the torture was effective.
Chris Licht is the Vice President of Programming, CBS News, and Executive Producer of CBS THIS MORNING.
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