"Obviously I don't accept your second description," Lieberman said, and then launched into a spirited defense of his recent vote on legislation governing the prosecution and interrogation of terror suspects. The approval by Congress of the detainee bill was considered a significant election-season victory for President Bush and the Republicans. Lieberman, who said he voted in favor of the bill because he believes it will make Americans safer from terrorists, was one of only 12 Senate Democrats to support the legislation. Although the bill protects detainees from "cruel and inhuman" treatment, such as rape, it does not require that they be granted legal representation. It also bars detainees from protesting their detentions in federal court.