Political Quotes

“Mr. President, over the past year, President Obama has been working hard to restore America's credibility in the world and our reputation for justice and our commitment to the rule of law. A key component of that important mission is ensuring accountability for American contractors and employees overseas. Accountability is crucial, not just for our image abroad and our diplomatic relations, but for ensuring our national security. To restore accountability, Congress must make sure that our criminal laws reach serious misconduct by American government employees and contractors wherever they act. Today, I join with Senator Kaufman to introduce the Civilian Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, CEJA, to accomplish this important and common sense goal. Tragic events in Iraq in 2007 made clear the need to strengthen the laws providing for jurisdiction over American government employees and contractors working abroad. In September 2007, Blackwater security contractors working for the State Department shot more than 20 unarmed civilians on the streets of Baghdad, killing at least 14 of them, and causing an international incident with the Iraqi government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, conducted a full-scale criminal investigation of the Blackwater shootings, and prosecutors brought indictments against five contractors.…”