Fallon Expresses Dissatisfaction with Boswell’s Votes on Torture

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Contact: Stacy Brenton, Communications Director 515-822-3029 (office)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, (12:00 PM CDT) - Recent days have brought news that the approval of torture by the American military and intelligence agencies was given by President Bush and routinely discussed in detail by his closest advisors, including Dick Cheney, John Ashcroft, and Condoleezza Rice.

Ed Fallon says, “This cannot be allowed to stand. Not only does American use of torture not make us safer, it actually makes us less safe. Military experts say information gained by torture is unreliable. The use of torture further alienates us from the world community and undermines any demand we would make for our captured soldiers to be treated decently. “

Fallon notes his opponent Leonard Boswell, a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, has publicly expressed his disapproval of torture. “Unfortunately, it’s clear that his voting record is inconsistent with his public position,” says Fallon.

According to Congressional voting records, Congressman Boswell voted for the Military Commissions Act (S.3930, 09/27/06), which gave the President the ultimate authority to determine which interrogation techniques qualify as ‘torture.’ Fallon says, “Boswell sided with Bush and broke with 82% of House Democrats who voted against this bill.”

The Military Commissions Act also permits the admission of statements into evidence that were obtained by torture, as well as giving retroactive immunity to any officials who authorized acts of torture. It also suspends habeas corpus, allowing the government to detain hundreds of prisoners for years without ever filing charges against them.

Fallon says, “Boswell voted for an Act that betrays American and Iowa values. As Democrats, we need to make it clear that we will not condone and support actions that violate long-held American principles of justice. For someone that I know cares about our troops, I am dismayed that Congressman Boswell broke with the majority of House Democrats and supported President Bush instead.”

"If Congressman Boswell made a mistake, let him apologize. If he wants to defend his vote, let's talk about it in a debate," he said.

“I am also dissatisfied that Congressman Boswell has not yet signed on to H.R. 952,” said Fallon. “This bill would end the practice of ‘extraordinary rendition’, whereby we outsource torture to other countries to avoid violating American laws here at home.” He added that the bill was introduced in the House on February 17, 2005 and has 77 cosponsors, but Boswell has yet to sign on.

“As a Congressman, I guarantee I would cosponsor H.R. 952,” he said. “Also, I will work for legislation that will prohibit American military and intelligence personnel from using torture and work to amend or scrap the Military Commissions Act consistent with the principles and standards of the American justice system. There will be no question of where I would stand on these issues.”

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