Heinrich Statement on Unauthorized CIA Search of Senate Computer Files

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement today after receiving a briefing on the results of a CIA Inspector General investigation, which confirmed that the agency improperly searched computers used by Senate Select Committee on Intelligence staff to prepare a report on the agency's detention and interrogation program.

"The Inspector General has confirmed that the CIA inappropriately accessed the computers of Senate staff.  This is inexcusable and offends the very notion of the separation of powers. The Senate Intelligence Committee oversees the CIA, not the other way around.

"I voted to approve John Brennan to lead the CIA, in the hope that he could help rebuild some of the trust between the agency and the Intelligence Committee. But that trust has only deteriorated during his tenure. I have lost all confidence in Director Brennan's leadership of the CIA and forthrightness in dealing with the Committee.

"As shocking as this is, our main focus must be releasing the committee's study of the CIA's detention and interrogation program. This was a dark and regrettable chapter in our country's history and betrayed the American values of respecting and upholding the dignity and human rights of all people. The American people deserve a full accounting of what happened, so that they can come to terms with what has been done in their name."

Senator Heinrich has been calling for a full and transparent accounting of the CIA's interrogation program and full declassification of the committee's study on the program.