McCain votes ‘no’ on DOJ nominee over torture memo comments

PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voted against a Department of Justice nominee this week because the official commented on memos concerning torture techniques.

Politico reported McCain said he could not vote for Steven Engel to lead the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel because of Engel “reviewed and commented” on a July 2007 memo concerning the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, something critics said amounts to torture.

“Mr. Engel reviewed and commented on this memo, which attempted to justify interrogation techniques that violate the Geneva Conventions and stain our national honor,” McCain said in a statement to the political news website.

“I cannot in good conscience vote for any nominee who in any way has supported the use of enhanced interrogation.”

Engel, a deputy assistant attorney general at the time, did not say if he agreed with the memo or not.

Despite McCain’s “no” vote, Engel was still confirmed for the job.

However, the senator’s stance could prove an issue going forward, as he most likely will vote against the confirmation of Steven Bradbury to serve as general counsel for the Department of Transportation.

Bradbury authored the same memos on which Engel commented.

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