Press Releases
Rep. Nadler Lauds President Obama’s Executive Orders Reversing Torture Policy and other Bush Administration Abuses
Washington, DC,
January 22, 2009
Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, lauded President Barack Obama for a series of quick Executive Orders designed to end some of President Bush’s worst policies. These orders will: require all federal agencies, including the CIA, to adhere to the Army Field Manual standards of interrogation, which follows Rep. Nadler’s bill, H.R. 4114, the American Anti-Torture Act of 2007; mandate the prompt closure of Guantanamo Bay’s prison complex, along with immediate review and appropriate resolution for the 245 detainees still held there; and end the CIA’s program of secret detention around the world.
“I applaud President Obama for his swift action to begin to unravel the terrible, costly policies of his predecessor,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “While this is still very much the start of a major process, President Obama’s Executive Orders today signal his commitment to justice and the rule of law. Ending torture during interrogation is a huge step forward. Closing the Guantanamo jails and CIA secret prisons, and returning this country to its historic respect for the Geneva Conventions are all crucial steps toward regaining our nation’s place of leadership around the world. I am also gratified that President Obama has taken to heart my bill – the American Anti-Torture Act of 2007 – designed to end the torture of detainees during interrogations. A version of this critical bill, which had 80 co-sponsors in the last Congress, passed the House and Senate and was vetoed by President Bush. I intend to reintroduce it this Congress to codify the barring of torture into law.” |