Haspel’s role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing,” Mr. McCain wrote in a statement Wednesday night. “Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying.”With Mr. McCain absent from the Senate and unable to vote, and Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, opposing Ms. Haspel, Senate Republican leaders will most likely need at least one Democratic vote for Ms. Haspel’s confirmation, and Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, has said he will support her. But if Mr. McCain can persuade at least one additional Republican to oppose Ms. Haspel, the nominee could be doomed. Senator Jeff Flake, Mr. McCain’s fellow Arizona Republican, said Thursday that he remained undecided about Ms. Haspel, though he said Mr. McCain’s views would have “considerable” weight. “People around here would be lying to you if they said that it didn’t weigh on them,” said Senator Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat facing a tough re-election fight this fall.

Source: New York Times May 10, 2018 23:03 UTC