Senate panel fails to mollify administration on detainee policies

[alp227]

Source: Wash. Post

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday modified provisions governing the detention of terrorism suspects that had drawn a veto threat from the White House, but the administration and leading Democrats said the new language in a defense spending bill failed to address their concerns.

The new provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act were crafted in a deal between the Democratic chairman of the committee, Sen. Carl M. Levin (Mich.), and the ranking Republican, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). The senators issued a statement saying the new measure was “an effort to address concerns raised by the administration and others.”

The administration had complained that the detainee provisions would require the military to take custody of any member of al-Qaeda, or anyone involved in planning an attack, even if they are captured in the United States. The administration said the provisions could force federal law enforcement agencies to turn over suspects to the military, potentially disrupting interrogations and investigations.

Levin insisted that the new language will not interfere with any law enforcement operations and that the administration will have discretion about whom to detain and how.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/senate-panel-fails-to-mollify-administration-on-detainee-policies/2011/11/15/gIQAsjYbPN_story.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. political games