Tom Lantos: “we are embarking on a debate of extraordinary importance to the Nation and to our success on the war on terrorism. It is…”

“we are embarking on a debate of extraordinary importance to the Nation and to our success on the war on terrorism. It is centered on a fundamental issue of concern to anyone who cares about human rights--and there are still many of us, thankfully. So this should be a debate about ideas, and there should be full and complete deliberation. Unfortunately, because of an arrogant White House and a Republican Leadership in this House that has simply bowed to the Executive's will--as it has so many times before--we have once again made the consideration of a critical legislative initiative a charade, a debate being conducted with undue haste and without any serious consideration. Mr. Speaker, since September 11, 2001, one of the most vexing problems that has faced our country in the struggle against the forces of nihilism and extremism is our approach to those who come into our custody because we believe they are a danger to the United States. We have seen unclear policy and muddy thinking leading to cruel treatment of those in U.S. custody, with some conduct even amounting, in the view of the former General Counsel to Department of the Navy under this Administration, to be torture. Finally, last June the Supreme Court ruled that the Administration's unilateral set of rules for trying terrorist suspects was unlawful.”