Delahunt Pushes Investigation Of Bush War Powers

01/08/2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt joined this week with House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI) to introduce legislation that will establish a bipartisan commission to examine potential abuses of war powers by the Bush administration, including the torture of detainees and warrantless wiretaps.

 “Today, I am joining with Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers in calling for an independent commission to investigate the numerous allegations of abuse of war powers and civil liberties by the Bush Administration,” said Delahunt.  “The American people deserve a complete and objective accounting of the many policies approved by President Bush as unreviewable war powers,” said Delahunt.

 Under the plan a National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties will investigate a wide range of policies, including detention by the military and intelligence agencies, the use of interrogation techniques not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, ‘‘ghosting’’ and other policies intended to conceal the fact that an individual has been captured or detained, extraordinary rendition, domestic warrantless electronic surveillance, and other policies that the Commission may determine to be relevant to its investigation.

 The proposed blue-ribbon commission would consist of nine members, with no more than five from the same political party. Appointed by the President and Congressional leaders of both parties, the panel would have subpoena power to compel testimony from high-level members of the Bush administration.

The panel is required to file an initial report to the President and Congress within one year and a final report six months later.

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