The U.S. MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft vehicle has been used to take out key targets in the war on terror.
- The move comes on the eve of confirmation hearings for CIA director nominee John Brennan
- The drone program has been shrouded in secrecy, which has been criticized by senators
- The policy paper will go to congressional intelligence committees
Washington (CNN) -- Amid new controversy over his administration's targeted killing of American citizens overseas by drones, President Barack Obama has yielded to demands that he turn over to Congress classified Justice Department legal advice seeking to justify the policy, an administration official said.
The president's move comes on the eve of confirmation hearings Thursday for his CIA director nominee John Brennan and amid complaints from senators, including several Democrats, about secrecy surrounding the drone policy.
"Today, as part of the president's ongoing commitment to consult with Congress on national security matters, the president directed the Department of Justice to provide the congressional Intelligence committees access to classified Office of Legal Counsel advice related to the subject of the Department of Justice White Paper," an administration official said.
The 16-page white paper -- titled "Lawfulness of a Lethal Operation Directed Against a U.S. Citizen who is a Senior Operational Leader of Al Qaida or an Associated Force" -- is a policy paper rather than an official legal document.
Memo backs U.S. using lethal force against Americans overseas
The president, the official said, was turning over the information because he believes the scrutiny and debate is healthy.
Opinion: Bring drones out of the shadows
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