NEW Bill Would Prevent BUSH ADMIN From Determining WHO Is Enemy Combatant (WaPo)

[kpete]

Bill Would Restore Detainees' Rights, Define 'Combatant'

By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 14, 2007; Page A08

A group of Senate Democrats introduced legislation yesterday that would restore habeas corpus rights to all detainees in U.S. custody and would narrowly define what it means to be an "enemy combatant" against the United States, a measure designed to challenge laws ushered in by the Republican-controlled Congress last year.

The bill, titled the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007," strikes at the core of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 by giving detainees access to U.S. courts. It was introduced by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.), a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The bill would also prevent the executive branch from making blanket determinations about who is an enemy combatant and would restrict the president's authority to interpret when certain human rights standards apply to detainees. The legislation would limit the label "enemy combatant" to a person "who directly participates in hostilities in a zone of active combat against the United States" or who took part in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

...................

The bill would also restore to the detainees numerous rights they lost under the Military Commissions Act, including the right, under a habeas corpus petition, to challenge their detention in federal court.

more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/13/AR2007021301163.html

[Hubert Flottz]

1. K&R

[Edweird]

2. Let's hope it passes.

K&R

[sutz12]

4. Agreed, but I think the debate is the important part....

Just the exposure has to have some Cons squirming in their seats.

[Edweird]

8. I can hear it now....

You DO support the constitution, don't you?

[derby378]

3. Happy Valentine's Day, America!

"Non-binding resolution," my ass. Finally we have a Democratic bill we can be proud of!

[Canuckistanian]

11. Yes, finally!

I'd like to hear the GOP/neocon arguments for fascism brought out in the open for all to see.

[stellanoir]

5. Amen

Woh the MCA can't be repealled soon enough for some.

[rodeodance]

6. more of much needed unraffling of Bush WH laws. Gawd I hope it has

success.

[rodeodance]

7. BTW---very CLEVER title

[DemReadingDU]

9. afternoon kick

[Uncle Joe]

10. Thanks for the thread kpete

Kicked and recommended

[Change has come]

12. K&R

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[OnyxCollie]

13. K & R. nt

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. This is good news. But how does Menendez justify his vote in favor of the Comissions Act in the

first place?