Updated Below
Dear Julie,
Tomorrow, I will bring the Intelligence Authorization Conference Report to the floor of the Senate. Section 327 of the bill establishes one interrogation standard for the entire U.S. government. This would effectively end torture by requiring that the intelligence community abide by the standards articulated in the Army Field Manual.
In order to attempt to block the ban on torture, Republicans may filibuster the bill or raise a point of order, claiming the torture provision violates the rules of the Senate. If the Parliamentarian agrees, we will be forced to try and waive the point of order. Either way we need 60 votes.
Already some Republicans have signaled they will side with us - however we need more.
Take a stand against torture
Every Senator will be forced to answer a simple question: do they support torture?
Do they support torture even though they know it is morally repugnant?
Do they support torture even though they know it puts our own Soldiers, Sailors and Marines at risk?
We are a nation at war -- a war in Iraq and a war against terrorism -- but this war does not give our leaders the authority to cast aside the laws of armed conflict. We need to restore our nation's moral authority, because the most effective way to fight terrorism is to harness all of our power - military, economic, and moral. When we do, the world will follow our lead once again.
It may take years, but we can start by declaring loudly, and with one voice: America does not torture.
Take a stand against torture
If we fail to oppose an evil as obvious as torture -- and it is an evil, then as Thomas Jefferson said, I will "tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." By passing this bill we can send a clear signal to the world that America does not torture - no ifs, ands or buts.
Take a stand against torture
Thank You,
Harry Reid
Updated 3:13 p.m.
You're Welcome, Harry
Senate Votes to Ban Harsh Interrogations
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 51 to 45 on Wednesday afternoon to ban waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods used by the Central Intelligence Agency against high-level terrorism suspects.
Senate Republicans generally opposed the bill, but several of them also did not want to cast a vote that could be construed as supporting torture, and so were relying on President Bush to make good on a threat to veto legislation limiting C.I.A. interrogation techniques.
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