Hoekstra: I would have approved waterboarding in certain circumstances

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), the ranking member of the House intelligence committee, said Thursday that he would have approved enhanced interrogation techniques, including waterboarding in some circumstances, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Hoekstra also appeared to say that waterboarding is not torture and is compliant with U.S. law.

Hoekstra, appearing on Fox News, said the following when referring to the time period in 2002 when waterboarding was used:

“I probably would have approved of the intelligence community using the enhanced interrogatoins techniques in the way they were.”

Hoekstra, questioned on whether waterboarding is torture, added the following:

“The way that these techniques were applied and used…were consistent with American law…and American law says we do not torture.”

Hoekstra’s remarks come after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the CIA lied to her about whether waterboarding was being used in briefings when she was the ranking member of the House intelligence briefing.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com