On Wednesday September 27th, the US House of Representatives approved HR 6166 by a margin of 253-168 and on September 28th, the US Senate approved its version of the bill, Senate Bill 3930 in a 65-34 vote. The bill will give President Bush extraordinary power to detain and try prisoners. The legislation strips detainees of the right to challenge their own detention and gives the President the power to detain them indefinitely. The bill also immunizes U.S. officials from prosecution for torturing detainees who the military and the CIA captured before the end of last year. World Socialist Website writes "For the first time in American history, Congress and the White House have agreed to set aside the provisions of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and formally adopt methods traditionally identified with police states."

On The Passing Of The Torture Bill.... | Sen. Patrick Leahy Blasts Congressional Approval of Detainee Bill | The Flaws in the Military Commissions Act | Stop the Warrantless Spying and the Torture | Torture Case Casts Light on America's Most Secret Spy Agency | John McCain is scamming the World (With Bush) Regarding Torture

Center For Consititional Rights | ACLU