WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt (MA-10), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties today introduced the American Anti-Torture Act of 2007. 

"The use of torture and so-called "enhanced" interrogation -- such as waterboarding -- contradicts our commitment to the rule of law and basic human rights,” said Rep. Delahunt.  “It is time for the Congress to demonstrate to the rest of the world that we will hold our government to the highest standards of law, and we will insist on full accountability for any action that betrays these core American values.”

The legislation would ensure a single, uniform, baseline standard for all interrogations conducted on persons in the custody or under the effective control of the U.S. Government.  Specifically, it would extend the first part of the McCain Amendment, which requires that interrogations comply with the standards set forth in the Army Field Manual, to all government agencies.  The McCain Amendment currently only applies to the Department of Defense. 

The Nadler-Delahunt extension would include the CIA – the agency reportedly responsible for carrying out the Administration’s so-called “enhanced” or “alternate” interrogation program and for operating secret overseas prisons.  This clarification in the law would outlaw waterboarding, a method of simulated drowning.  Like the McCain Amendment, the bill would not apply the Army Field Manual to the interrogation of individuals in custody under a criminal or immigration law of the United States.

“We all agree that terrorists must be brought to justice – but we must not abandon the very freedoms we’re protecting in the process,” said Rep. Nadler.  “Torture, including practices like waterboarding, is un-American and inconsistent with our adherence and respect for the rule of law.  This bill will reaffirm our commitment to American values and help restore our national conscience.”

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