Rep. Nadler Urges Override of Bush Veto of Intelligence Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today denounced President Bush for his veto of the Conference Report on the Intelligence Authorization bill for FY 2008 (H. Rept. 110-478).

That bill contains a provision that mirrors legislation, the American Anti-Torture Act, authored by Reps. Nadler and Bill Delahunt (MA-10), which would ensure a single, uniform, baseline standard for all interrogations conducted by the U.S. intelligence community. By extending the Army Field Manual standards to the intelligence community, the conference report effectively outlaws waterboarding.

"Today, the President has shown his continued disdain for the rule of law," said Rep. Nadler. "He says time and time again that America does not torture, and yet he is unwilling to affirm that commitment in law. His veto is a rejection of our fundamental values. We must bring an end to torture and waterboarding, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to override the President’s veto."

In February, Rep. Nadler, along with 37 other Members of Congress, wrote to President Bush urging him to sign the legislation into law. The letter is available at: http://www.house.gov/nadler/pdf/BushIntelAFMVeto021508.pdf

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