A code of conduct must exist for America?s military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.  Historically, the United States has looked to the Geneva Conventions when concerning the rights of prisoners of war.  The nature of the global war on terrorism is making us readdress our policies on prisoners of war because the detainees in this conflict are not traditional enemies.

Senator John McCain's personal history and lifelong service to our country speak for themselves.  As a prisoner of war for five and a half years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam conflict, he has first hand experience of the use of torture on prisoners of war and is just the man to take the lead on legislation addressing the treatment of detainees.

With my strong support, the Defense Appropriations and Authorization bills, which the President recently signed into law, included Senator McCain's provisions governing the treatment of detainees, and Congress intends to exercise strict oversight to monitor the implementation of the new law.