U.S. Senator Doug Jones (Ala.) today released the following statement on his decision to vote against Gina Haspel to be confirmed as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):

“After spending several weeks carefully evaluating all of the information available to me about Ms. Haspel and her career, reviewing her confirmation hearing, speaking with current and former public officials, and meeting with her in person yesterday, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot support her confirmation as the Director of the CIA. While her career has been impressive, Ms. Haspel’s role in programs that conducted torture is very troubling; her refusal to acknowledge the immorality of such conduct even today with the benefit of hindsight is even more so and reflects poorly on our nation’s reputation as a moral leader in the world. Her statement today that the ‘enhanced interrogation program is not one the CIA should have undertaken’ has not relieved my concerns, which are rooted in both the responsibility I feel as a Senator and in my own deeply held faith.

“I appreciate the commitment of Ms. Haspel and her colleagues to the service and defense of our nation, and I do not doubt the skills and expertise she has gained during her long career in the CIA. However, the leader of the CIA, an organization tasked with operating clandestinely to keep Americans safe, must be held to the highest possible standard. There is a legal and moral responsibility that comes with operating in secrecy. Some of Ms. Haspel’s past actions and beliefs did not meet that standard. We must choose leaders that consistently embody our highest ideals, rather than our darkest moments.”

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to vote on Gina Haspel's nomination Wednesday, May 16th.