Administration will veto independent commission

On July 21, 2005, the Office of Management and Budget issued their Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) concerning S.1042, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The statement enumerates a number of concerns the Administration has with the bill including amendments “interfering with effective conduct of War on Terror.” An amendment will be offered, by Senator Carl Levin (D, MI), to establish a commission on detainee operations or to regulate the detention, treatment or trial of terrorists captured in the war on terror. In their SAP, the Administration’s made it clear that the President will veto any bill which contains an amendment calling for such a commission.

This is a strong statement from the Administration, especially as it follows the call of several Senators, including Joseph Biden (D, DE) and Chuck Hagel (R, NE), for an independent investigation into allegations of abuse at the Guantanamo Bay prison facility. The Administration appears firm in its determination to stall Congress even as demands for accountability for abuse allegations and potential violations of international law in the war on terror increase. If anything, this stubborn stance only spurs more questions surrounding Guantanamo, as the Administration is clearly troubled by the prospect of allowing any kind of investigation at all.

Citizens for Global Solutions believes the United States must abide by international law and believes the Administration’s veto language highlights an unacceptable policy that supports evasive and unaccountable behavior as the United States pursues its frightening war on global terror.


 

Updated July 28, 2005