Louise Slaughter: “the first amendment offered by Representative Meehan would restore habeas corpus, one of the most basic principles in…”

“the first amendment offered by Representative Meehan would restore habeas corpus, one of the most basic principles in our legal system which allows a person detained by the Government to have a judge review his or her case. The next amendment, which was offered by Mrs. Tauscher, strikes the provision in the bill that would reinterpret and weaken our commitment to the Geneva Conventions. The last amendment, by Representative Loretta Sanchez, would modify the appeals process by providing that the existing and experienced U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and then the Supreme Court would be used instead of creating a brand new court system that is untested and untried. Mr. Speaker, the bill we will be considering shortly makes very extraordinary changes to the way we deal with interrogation and treatment of prisoners of war, and those incarcerated from the war on terror. It is undoubtedly one of the most deadly serious issues we will deal with in this Congress. The impact of this legislation is not just about the effect that it will have on those individuals that our Nation apprehends in wartime and in the War Against Terror. Every bit as important are the far-reaching implications that it will have for our soldiers and citizens who may be captured. This is about protecting them from torture and other inhumane treatment. The three amendments are critical components in this process. They need to be a part of the process today.”