Political Quotes

“This amendment clarifies the authority of military commission judges to order court processing at Guantanamo to be broadcast over the internet. This is a straightforward, noncontroversial amendment that the House has passed twice by voice vote. The GAO has studied this issue and concluded there are no technical barriers to broadcasting proceedings on the internet, and it can be done while protecting classified information. This amendment comes down to simply whether or not we believe the American people have the right to observe the military commission proceedings, including against members of al-Qaida who planned the 9/11 attacks. I believe that families of victims, journalists, academics, NGOs, and any American interested should be able to follow the proceedings without flying to Guantanamo, a difficult and lengthy process at best. I also believe this amendment is important because these military commissions have, in fact, failed. After so many years, they have not delivered anything that could be called justice, but their distance hides the extent of their failings. As we work toward closing Guantanamo, which I strongly support, we should cease to hide the legal processes happening there. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.”