Rep. Nadler Lauds Senate Approval of Anti-Torture Provision

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Rep. Nadler Lauds Senate Approval of Anti-Torture Provision

Intelligence Authorization Contains Nadler-Delahunt Language on Torture and Now Heads to the President

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties today lauded the Senate for adopting the Conference Report on the Intelligence Authorization bill for FY 2008 (H. Rept. 110-478).

That bill contains a provision that mirrors legislation authored by Reps. Nadler and Bill Delahunt (MA-10), the American Anti-Torture Act, which would ensure a single, uniform, baseline standard for all interrogations conducted by the U.S. intelligence community. By extending the Army Field Manual standards to the intelligence community, the conference report effectively outlaws waterboarding, a method of controlled drowning.

"Today, the Senate has joined the House to affirm our nation's most fundamental values and our respect for the rule of law," said. Rep. Nadler. "This provision means no more torture, no more waterboarding, no more clever wordplay, no more evasive answers, and no more dishonesty. As a civilized nation, there must be limits on our conduct -- even during military conflicts. President Bush has long said that America does not torture. I urge him to sign this legislation into law and affirm that commitment."

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