Press Releases

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“A public, annual report on the number of combatants and noncombatants killed will provide an important measure of transparency regarding targeted, lethal strikes. Despite our best efforts to ensure to a near-certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured, sometimes strikes do result in civilian casualties – and it is important that we acknowledge those accidents and learn from them. At the same time, greater transparency can help narrow the perception gap between what really happens, and what is reported or sent out as propaganda. I also believe that issuing these reports helps set an example for other nations that now or in the future will strike at terrorists from the air.

“For years, I have supported this step, and I’m gratified that the Administration’s policy shares many similarities with proposals put forth by Senator Feinstein and me.  I do believe, however, there is still value in considering a statutory requirement to make this executive action permanent, ensuring that our commitment to transparency extends beyond the term of the current Administration.”

Background:

Before he was Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, an amendment that Schiff to require an annual report of the number of combatants and civilians killed or injured annually by drone strikes was removed from the Senate Intelligence Authorization Act.  He has since pushed the Administration to make the report public.

Schiff previously introduced bipartisan legislation – the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act – to  require an annual report on the number of combatants and civilians killed or injured annually by strikes from remotely piloted aircraft, also known as drones. The requirement would have been retroactive for five years so that trends can be assessed and required that the report include the definitions of combatants and civilian noncombatants used.

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