GOP cries foul over torture amendment to Intel bill

[babylonsister]

GOP cries foul over amendment to Intel bill
By Susan Crabtree - 02/25/10 04:16 PM ET


House Republicans are charging Democrats with trying to sneak a provision into the intelligence authorization bill that would establish criminal punishment for CIA agents and other intelligence officials who engage in “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” during interrogations.

Democrats inserted an 11-page addition into the bill late Wednesday night as the House Rules Committee considered the legislation.

The provision, previously not vetted in committee, applies to “any officer or employee of the intelligence community” who during interrogations engages in beatings, infliction of pain or forced sexual acts. The bill said the acts covered by the provision would include inducing hypothermia, conducting mock executions or “depriving the {detainee} of necessary food, water, sleep, or medical care.”


The language gives Congress the discretion to determine what the terms mean, and it would level punishments of up to 15 years in prison, and in some cases, life sentences if a detainee dies as a result of the interrogation.

Republicans are criticizing the language and the way it was introduced.

“This will fundamentally change the nature of the intelligence community by creating a criminal statute governing interrogations,” said Rep. Pete Hoesktra (R-Mich.).

He added that it had appeared “out of nowhere” in a manager’s amendment.

“Would someone on the other side please explain the rationale behind this and why the majority was unwilling to have hearings on this issue?" he said.

Intelligence committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) added the language, originally offered by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), to his manager’s amendment, which makes several changes to the bill passed by committee.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/83817-gop-cries-foul-over-amendment-to-intel-bill

Related:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7795579

[zbdent]

1. the bill should have included the clause

that "anybody supporting any form of torture, such as waterboarding, should first be subjected to the supported torture before allowing the subject to be tortured." And no exceptions for members of Congress ...

[ThomCat]

2. Yes! Absolutely!