[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE INTERROGATION PROCEDURES ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, last night the Senate passed an amendment to 
the Defense Appropriations Act that would establish clear guidelines 
for interrogating prisoners we capture in war zones or counter-
terrorism operations.
  The amendment was co-sponsored by Sens. McCain, Lindsay Graham, 
Warner, Hagel, Gordon Smith, and Collins and passed overwhelmingly by a 
vote of 90-9. Today we are introducing a bill which is identical to the 
Senate-passed amendment.
  Our legislation would clarify that no person may be subject to 
torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment--regardless of 
whether they are Americans, and regardless of whether they are held 
outside the U.S. (i.e., in Guantanamo Bay).
  The legislation would also mandate that all DOD personnel employ only 
those interrogation techniques that are authorized by the Army Field 
Manual.
  Interrogations are vital to obtaining intelligence in the fight 
against terrorism. But cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment violates 
U.S. treaty obligations and undermines our moral authority. It has also 
been shown to be ineffective at eliciting actionable intelligence.
  Our troops and intelligence personnel have been forced to operate in 
a ``fog of law''--a patchwork of post 9/11 legal memos and policies 
that appeared to have condoned cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. 
Our legislation would clarify the rules governing interrogations so 
that there can be no doubt what conduct is authorized.
  Our legislation has been endorsed by a group of 29 retired military 
officers, including 3 ``four stars''--General Joseph Hoar, General John 
Shalikashvili, and General Donn Starry. It has also been endorsed by a 
broad cross-section of civil liberties groups.
  There are some complimentary proposals which may be introduced at a 
later date. But in the meantime, this excellent proposal has momentum 
and bipartisan support, and we urge the House to support it.

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