Don't Let Congress Legalize Torture

An appalling proposal made in secret last week by Vice President Cheney prompted the New York Times to write: "The White House is certainly tireless in its effort to legalize torture.

The administration's current target is Sen. McCain's important anti-torture amendment. You can fight back today by calling your representative, and urging them to support this commonsense provision.

The White House is pressuring Congress members to add loopholes that would essentially destroy a Senate-approved ban on torture. But at least 15 House Republicans have spoken out, urging their colleagues to keep Sen. McCain's amendment intact.

Take action right now - call your Republican representative to ask if they have joined this call for an end to torture. If they haven't, demand to know why.

Don't wait! McCain's ban on torture is being negotiated this week, and winning your representative's support will give it a much better chance of surviving.

You can tell the staffer who takes your call:

• I am calling to ask if _______ has joined fellow House Republicans in signing a letter urging negotiators to support Sen. McCain's anti-torture amendment to the defense spending bill. If not, I demand to know why.
• This amendment will not only restore America's image abroad, it will also draw a much-needed line between appropriate interrogation techniques and the horrible abuses I've read about in the papers.
• As the letter states, "President Bush has said that America ... will treat all detainees humanely. The anti-torture provisions implement this pledge." The White House's proposed language would render the amendment useless, and it should be rejected.

The White House is asking Congress to allow U.S. agencies to engage in torture. You can help ensure this will not happen.

Go to Humanrightsfirst.org for additional information.