Rep. Nadler Statement on Sixth Anniversary of Guantánamo Bay

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties today issued the following statement regarding today’s marking of the sixth anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees from the ‘War on Terror’ at Guantánamo Bay Prison:

"Today marks a sad anniversary for our nation and for the rule of law. Six years have passed since the first detainees were brought to Guantánamo Bay; six long years of President Bush violating habeas corpus. The prison that stands at Guantánamo Bay is part of a larger problem – the Bush Administration’s ongoing campaign to undermine our fundamental values and freedoms.

"Over the past year, I have held a series of hearings titled ‘The Constitution in Crisis: The State of Civil Liberties in America.’ Through these hearings, I have examined the Bush Administration’s policies, actions and programs that threaten Americans’ fundamental constitutional rights and civil liberties. We have examined the treatment of detainees, habeas corpus, extraordinary rendition to torture, and many other issues.

"I have also championed numerous bills to correct some of the most egregious violations of our civil rights and liberties. I have introduced two bills that would repeal the problematic parts of the Military Commissions Act. The bills are House companion legislation to the Senate’s Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 and the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007.

"I also introduced the American Anti-Torture Act of 2007, to extend the first part of the McCain Amendment which requires the Department of Defense to comply with the interrogation standards set forth in the Army Field Manual, to all government agencies. Similar language was included in the torture prohibitions of the Conference Report on the Intelligence Authorization bill for 2008, which passed the House last year.

"I am also a proud sponsor of H.R.2212, a bill introduced by Congressman Jane Harman, which would require the President to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

"We all agree that terrorists must be brought to justice – but we must not abandon the very freedoms we’re protecting in the process. It is time to compel the Administration to act in a manner consistent with our Constitution. It is time to restore the honor of the United States."

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