[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19166]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, during the consideration of the Department 
of Defense authorization bill, several of our colleagues offered an 
amendment concerning the treatment of prisoners. It was an important 
amendment. It was offered by Senator McCain and Senator Graham. Senator 
Warner offered a related amendment. The McCain Amendment made it clear 
that the United States would not engage in conduct related to detainees 
and prisoners which could be characterized as ``cruel, inhumane or 
degrading.''
  I salute my colleagues for their courage in stepping forward to 
address this very difficult and controversial issue. I hope when we 
return to the Department of Defense authorization bill, we will give 
them a resounding vote of support. They speak for all in their 
dedication to make certain that we live up to the rules of law and to 
the standards of American values which have guided us for so many 
decades.
  I look forward to that debate. I thank them for their political 
courage in offering this to the Department of Defense authorization 
bill.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sessions). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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