Cutting through the arguments spawned by the Senate report on the CIA's enhanced interrogation program is an understanding that federal law lacks a statutory definition of torture. From President Barack Obama to Sen.Mitch McConnell, everybody has his or her own definition of torture. Some believe using enhanced interrogation techniques at any time is torture. Others believe that circumstances dictate if using such techniques is torture.

Enhanced interrogation techniques are brutal. They include water boarding, sleep deprivation and forced feeding. Interrogators employ them to elicit information about future attacks.

Congress has permitted the CIA to collect intelligence with little oversight since the agency began its operations 64 years ago. Not wanting to be blamed for an attack because it had tied the CIA's hands, Congress prefers to criticize intelligence operations following unfavorable reports rather than prohibiting them beforehand. Hardly a profile in courage.

With the CIA tarnished throughout the world, Congress must find the courage to pass a statute defining torture.

The CIA needs guidance, clear rules and, most importantly, backing by its government.