President Barack Obama's use of unmanned drones to kill Americans who are suspected of being Al Qaeda allies deserves closer inspection, lawmakers said Sunday, as even some of the president's allies suggested uneasiness about the program.
Obama's stance toward the terrorist threats facing the United States has left some Democrats and Republicans alike nervous about the unmanned drones targeting the nation's enemies from the skies. Questions about the deadly program dogged Obama's pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency last week and prompted lawmakers to consider tighter oversight.
All killings carried out under the drone program have ballooned under Obama's watch.
"We are in a different kind of war. We're not sending troops. We're not sending manned bombers. We're dealing with the enemy where we find them to keep America safe. We have to strike a new constitutional balance with the challenges we face today," said Sen. Dick Durbin.
"The policy is really unfolding. Most of this has not been disclosed," the second-ranking Senate Democrat added.
Before John Brennan's confirmation hearing to lead the CIA on Thursday, Obama directed the Justice Department to give the congressional intelligence committees access to classified legal advice providing the government's rationale for drone strikes against American citizens working with Al Qaeda abroad. That 2012 memo outlined the Obama administration's decision to kill Al Qaeda suspects without evidence that specific and imminent plots were being planned against the United States.