On the recordFebruary 12, 2009
I rise to praise President Obama's decision to review President Bush's policy of banning the media from photographing the coffins of our fallen soldiers. The American people were not allowed to see the flag-draped coffins when they arrived from Iraq and from Afghanistan. It was said that it protected the privacy of the soldiers and their families. There was a group who didn't want the American people to see the terrible human costs of the war because if they did, they would be more likely to oppose it. Secretary of Defense Gates says he will now review the policy. He said this week that if the needs of the families can be met and the privacy concerns can be addressed, then the more honor we can accord these fallen heroes, the better. He also said that reviewing the policy 'makes all kinds of sense.'
Source
govinfo.gov
