Leahy aims at restoring habeas corpus
United Press International
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) — A battle is shaping up between Democrats and the White House over the Military Commissions Act, signed into law last month by President George W. Bush.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is expected to take over as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and The (Calif.) Daily Journal reports that Leahy is drafting a bill to undo portions of the new law in an effort to restore habeas corpus rights for enemy combatants.
A spokeswoman for Leahy told the newspaper the bill would be intended to repeal portions of the law that prevent some detainees from pursuing federal court challenges to the government’s authority to hold them indefinitely.
Spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler told the newspaper the goal is to “try and do something to reverse the damage.”
Scott L. Silliman, Director of the Center for Law, Ethics and National Security at Duke University School of Law, told the newspaper an attempt to amend the law could set up a partisan showdown in Congress, and possibly a presidential veto.
Civil rights attorneys filed a constitutional challenge to the act after Bush signed it Oct. 17, the Journal said.
Wild Thing’s comment…….
In 1996, Clinton signed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act which makes it more difficult for murder defendants to have their habeas corpus appeals heard in federal court.
So American citizens (albeit murderers) will have a difficult time having their habeas corpus appeals heard, but terrorists will be granted the RIGHT! God help us!
Yep, one step ahead and now three steps back. And all those investigations that will commence come January. The witch hunt is now being planned. How many terrorists cells will spring up right here while everyone is focused on all the alleged “evils” done by this administration? Will anybody be watching for that?
No better description than the enemy within applies to the Democrats.
Yankeemom, you are so right.
They are so horrible Jack you’re right.
habeas corpus literally means “produce the body”.
I have no problem with producing bodies, especially those bodies. Do you think they want them with the heads attached, or shall we ship them separately?
Sorry, but this is really starting to piss me off. I’ve been trying to keep an upbeat outlook about all of this nonsense, but it’s wearing off pretty fast. I hope those who voted for the Left on Tuesday are prepared to shoulder the weight of their decision. All they’re going to get for their trouble is a ring-side seat to the end of America as we’ve known it.
Gregor, the next attack will have the blood of victims on the hands of the Lefties for sure. As a Republcian we are not perfect, but at least we want to fight back, at least we want to try with all that is in us.