Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Torture Tribunal Bill
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) spoke in strong opposition to a controversial Republican bill designed to create a legal framework for trying suspected terrorists. The bill allows the President to interpret U.S. commitments under the Geneva Convention – an unprecedented move that critics say opens the door to torture – and creates a system where suspected terrorists may be held indefinitely, with no right to appeal their detention. The following is her statement (as delivered):
“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying bill.
“At a time when even the National Intelligence Estimate has concluded that the occupation in Iraq has spawned a new generation of terrorists and made us, quite frankly, less safe, this bill will undermine the security of our brave troops and hand a victory to those who believe the rule of force should prevail over the rule of law.
“And I have to say once again, as the daughter of a twenty-five year military lieutenant colonel, who served this country in many capacities through two wars, this scares me—this scares me to death.
“What century are we living in when we trust intelligence acquired through torture? Clearly the President fails to realize that these techniques will destroy the credibility of any verdicts that use information derived from torture.
“Insisting on fairness and credibility—that’s all we are asking for. Credibility of the process isn’t about protecting those who would harm us, as the Republicans would have you believe. It’s about protecting our troops and our nation and not further alienating our country in the eyes of the world community.
“When we turn away from the legal and moral values that have guided our nation, we give up the principles that differentiate us from the terrorists. And as I quoted from a prayer from Reverend Baxter, from the National Cathedral at the memorial service for the victims and families of 9/11 five years ago, Reverend Baxter said, I keep thinking about this prayer, he said, ‘let us not become the evil we deplore.’
“So, I just want to urge a ‘no’ vote on this bill and I want to thank Mr. Skelton for your leadership, for your support for the troops, your steadfast work on behalf of our national security, and for making sure that this body tries to uphold the rule of law.”
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