Clyburn on President's Veto of Anti-Torture Legislation
Saturday, March 8, 2008
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement criticizing President Bush’s veto of the 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act which prohibits waterboarding during the interrogation of individuals in U.S. custody.
“The Intelligence Reauthorization Act provides critical resources to the intelligence community to combat terrorism and protect our country. By vetoing the 2008 Intelligence Authorization Act because it extends the Army Field Manual’s ban of grotesque and inhumane torture practices, President Bush has failed to provide America with the moral and ethical leadership needed to strengthen our national security and improve our diplomatic relations.
“Many of our transatlantic allies and large segments of the global community have vehemently protested the use of waterboarding as an interrogation technique. Furthermore, CIA Chief Michael Hayden recently questioned the legality of waterboarding and has prohibited his intelligence officers from engaging in the archaic practice.
“The President fails to understand that his veto of the Intelligence Authorization Act over the prohibition of torture works against any attempt to rebuild good will with our partners in the war against terrorism or increase America’s standing as an ardent advocate for basic human rights. If we are to act as a world leader, it is imperative that President Bush join the Congress in abolishing inhumane interrogation techniques that damage our nation’s reputation and impede our ability to work more closely with our allies in the global fight against terror.”
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