Trying to stare down a revolt from fellow Republicans, President George W Bush warned that time was running out for Congress to save a crucial CIA interrogation program for suspected terrorists.
"Congress has got a decision to make. You want the program to go forward or not? I strongly recommend that this program go forward in order for us to be able to protect America," Mr Bush told a White House Rose Garden news conference.
A day after a Senate committee rejected his pleas and endorsed legislation that would protect the rights of terrorism suspects, Mr Bush argued strongly for his proposals.
He wants Congress to pass a law that would allow the CIA to use tough interrogation methods which he said had prevented attacks on the United States.
The Washington Post wrote in an editorial yesterday that Mr Bush was basically lobbying for torture and that the CIA wants permission to interrogate detainees "with abusive practices that in the past have included induced hypothermia and 'waterboarding,' or simulated drowning."
The Bush administration denies prisoners are tortured.
The legislation Mr Bush rejects is backed by a trio of powerful Republican senators with military links -- John McCain of Arizona, John Warner of Virginia and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina -- as well Colin Powell, Mr Bush's first secretary of state and a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer said that with those four standing up to the president, "It shows how wrong and isolated the White House is."
"These military men are telling the president that in the war on terror you need to be both strong and smart, and it is about time he heeded their admonitions."
The vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee set up a legislative showdown, eight weeks before an election in which Republicans hope to keep control of the US Congress by appearing strong on fighting terrorism.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said differences between the Senate version and legislation more to Bush's liking approved by the House of Representatives may have to be worked out in a committee involving both sides.
But with Congress soon to recess to allow members to campaign for re-election, Mr Bush said, "time's running out."