A Justice Department official on Friday said the agency did its job right when it concluded that two lawyers showed bad judgment in approving harsh interrogations of terror suspects during the Bush administration.

Although some may disagree with the conclusions, the department is confident the investigation was conducted correctly, acting Deputy Attorney General Gary Grindler said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The inquiry found the two government lawyers exhibited poor judgment and their legal advice in response to a CIA proposal contained significant flaws but that it did not warrant their referral to state bar associations for possible discipline.

The hearing on Capitol Hill marks the first time Congress is receiving detailed testimony from a Justice official about the probe.

The Justice investigation has drawn criticism from both liberals who wanted harsher action against the lawyers and conservatives upset there was any criticism of the pair at all.

The report was released last week.