[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1996-E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4310, NATIONAL 
             DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ROB BISHOP

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, In a perfect world, I would have 
preferred that language offered by Senator Feinstein and Senator Lee on 
detainees and habeas corpus would have prevailed in this final 
conference agreement.
  However, when carefully comparing and analyzing both the House and 
Senate language on detainees clarifying the rights of habeas corpus, I 
believe that both versions clearly are a step forward in preserving and 
protecting citizen's civil liberties against any implied powers of the 
Executive branch. Both provisions make clear that every U.S. citizen or 
permanent resident alien have their full habeas corpus rights intact.

[[Page E1997]]

  There are many members on the House side which have worked hard and 
tirelessly on this issue. In particular, I would like to thank the 
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gohmert, who served with distinction as a 
federal judge prior to coming to this body and has a keen understanding 
of the legal implications and interpretations of statutory language. 
He, along with Mr. Rigell and Mr. Landry, have been instrumental 
leaders in working with all sides of this issue and helping to come up 
with compromise language which moves us forward in a positive way.
  This language is not perfect, but it moves us in the direction we 
need to go. We should continue to work on this next year.

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