Congress Puts Prosecution on the Table

[davidswanson]

Prosecution Is on the Table in Congress

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has just introduced the Executive Branch Accountability Act of 2008, which calls on the next President of the United States to

* Fully investigate Bush/Cheney administration officials’ alleged crimes and hold them accountable for any illegal acts.
* Ensure that any Bush/Cheney administration official guilty of a war crime is prosecuted under the War Crimes Act and the Anti-Torture Act.
* Affirm that it is the sole legal right of Congress to declare war.
* Restore the writ of habeas corpus.
* Ensure that torture and rendition are uniformly prohibited under United States law.
* Immediately close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp.
* Ensure that Americans can bring claims against their government.
* Immediately take affirmative steps to protect all documents from the Bush/Cheney Administration.
* Publicly review potential abuses of the presidential pardon process.
* Reform the use of presidential signing statements.

A copy of the Executive Branch Accountability Act of 2008 as introduced is at:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/baldwinbill

While no future president will take these steps unless compelled to by the people and our representatives in Congress, and while many of these steps should be taken by Congress itself rather than by the president, the first step in placing this critical set of tasks on the agenda of both the next Congress and the next White House is to ask every member of Congress to cosponsor this resolution immediately.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Maybe we can piece this back together some day

[AndyA]

2. What's pathetic is that such a bill needs to even be introduced.

This country has taken a few wrong turns, and the Republicans have been in the driver's seat each time it's happened. :(

[Bandit]

3. Does anyone think Peloisi will allow such a bill to even get to a Committee?

There will be no Accountability. Get used to that. Democrats have much fault in all of the alleged criminal activity.

[ThomWV]

4. Then it would be time to get on the phone to her office and convice her otherwise

You know, even she will bend to popular pressure if there is enough of it.

[hootinholler]

5. Pelosi has no control over that if...

It is introduced as a privileged bill. It then has to be acted upon within 3 days.

-Hoot

[robinlynne]

6. Right on! Hear Hear!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OakCliffDem]

7. Good

[liberalla]

8. Reverse Illegal Actions and Prevent Further Abuses

Baldwin Calls for Executive Accountability To Reverse Illegal Actions and Prevent Further Abuses

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has introduced the Executive Branch Accountability Act of 2008, calling on the next President to reverse the damaging and illegal actions taken by the Bush/Cheney Administration and to collaborate with Congress to proactively prevent any further abuses of executive branch power.

“Over the past several years, serious questions have been raised about the conduct of high ranking Bush/Cheney Administration officials in relation to some of the most basic elements of our democracy: respect for the rule of law, the principle of checks and balances, and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights,” said Baldwin. “The list of abuses of executive branch power is long, as are the Administration’s attempts to impede congressional oversight.

Indeed, Congress has presented President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other Bush/Cheney Administration officials with ample opportunities to reverse these abusive actions and restore our democracy. At each step, they have, instead, chosen to show contempt for the Congress and the American public. We must look to the next administration – and the next President – to show leadership in restoring executive branch accountability,” Baldwin said.

The Executive Branch Accountability Act of 2008 calls on the next President of the United States to immediately and publicly reaffirm our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/baldwinbill

This is important. I can't moan and groan over the prior inaction of Congress in allowing the Administration to dismantle and destroy the democratic principles and safeguards of our society. I have to work for change and for the return of accountability.

I thank Congresswoman Baldwin for this introducing this bill.

[Lyric]

9. Reform the use of signing statements? Hell no.

PROHIBIT the use of any signing statement that claims an executive right to ignore a law. The new Congress needs to pass a goddamned Constitutional Amendment prohibiting that crap, and send it to the states to get ratified. I think it'll pass, too.

NO person is above the law--especially not the President. The only thing that stands between a President and a King is the law.