Cheney hid CIA program from Congress: senator

Cheney was a key advocate in the Bush administration of using controversial interrogation methods such as waterboarding on terrorism suspects and has emerged as a leading Republican critic of Obama's national security policies.

Since Obama took over from Bush on January 20, Cheney has engaged in a contentious battle with the new administration over the CIA interrogation procedures that undermined the reputation of the United States around the world.

In one of his first acts as president, Obama ordered more humane treatment for terrorism suspects.

Panetta has vowed not to allow coercive interrogation practices, secret prisons or the transfer of terrorism suspects to countries that may use torture -- a pledge seen as a break with the agency's policies under Bush.

Senator Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, told "Face the Nation" he said he believed the allegations against Cheney will be investigated.

Asked if he expected the situation to be looked into, Sessions said: "Well, I'm sure it will be."

"I don't know what the facts are. But I believe that Vice President Cheney served his country with as much fidelity as he could possibly give to it. And he tried to serve us in an effective way. And I hope that nothing like this would impact on his outstanding record."

(Reporting by World Desk Americas and JoAnne Allen; Editing by John O'Callaghan)