Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation Tuesday that seeks to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Former President Bill Clinton emailed Nadler mid way through the press conference and Nadler read off President’s opinion. (0:34)
Ellen Ratner speaks with Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) about President Obama’s address on health insurance reform. Nadler says Congress should pass the bill President Obama is proposing. He explains how it would be good for small businesses. He says the House will insist on the public option. He also talks about some possible methods of tort reform.
The House Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Subcommittee met to discuss the State Secrets Protection Act of 2008. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) who introduced the legislation, said members of the Executive Branch are misusing the state secrets privilege to avoid Congressional oversight and thus, shielding itself from questions concerning spying against Americans and acts of torture committed at Guantanamo Bay. He said the act protects justice and, noting checks and balances, the Constitution. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) referenced a Los Angeles Times article from 2006 that suggests over half of government information is over-classified.
Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) said disclosing classified information threatens the national security of the United States and that though a denial of access to judicial review may be disadvantageous for some, it is necessary for the safety of all Americans. Franks said that the post-September 11 era has shown the significant role of the state secrets privilege in the Department of Justice. He also said the Supreme Court has defended the privilege, adding that he finds it “shocking” that Democrats want courts to deviate from precedent as 200 detainees at Guantanamo Bay qualify for trial in American courts.
Meredith Fuchs of the National Security Archives supported the State Secrets Protection Act, saying that federal agencies often do not feel the need to disclose information without independent pressure. She said courts should have the right to consider evidence in claims of state secrets privilege, adding that courts should not refuse evidence provided by non-governmental experts. Steven Shapiro of the American Civil Liberties Union said Nadler’s legislation restores the state secrets privilege to its proper role and bring legal clarity. Shapiro said the ACLU supports the passing of the State Secrets Protection Act. Michael Vatis, a partner at Steptoe & Johnson, LLP expressed concern with a section of the act he said could be interpreted to mean that courts would analyze governmental and independent evidence equally. He said courts should exercise judgement but give substantial weight to the, potentially better-informed, government.
Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) describes the great risks of permitting elections fraud to continue. He says voting fraud can threaten the Constitution and the “very foundation of our democracy.”(0:35)
The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on lessons learned from the 2004 Presidential election that can be used to improve the upcoming election. Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) said the past two Presidential elections depleted the American people’s trust in the fairness of elections.
Congressman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) said the election process is the “lifeblood of democracy” and without its legitimacy, there can be no leaders. With a record turnout of voters expected, Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) said the Department of Justice should work to assure that the next election is the fairest in years.
Dan Tokaji, Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director of Election Law at the Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz School of Law, said there is significant room for improvement in elections fairness. He said that clear rules on transparency must be established before the elections. Despite admitting existent fraud, he said that legislation against it is often fueled by hyperbolic claims. Cleta Mitchell, a partner at Foley & Lardner cited the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) as the largest perpetrator of elections fraud, fictionalizing voter registrations for underage voters and dead people. She said that voter fraud is widespread and not taken seriously, threatening the accuracy and legitimacy of elections.
At a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties on harsh interrogation tactics, Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) says that there has been so little information given on the topic that perhaps the White House drinking water causes amnesia. He goes on to say that the facts henceforth gathered reveal a “disturbing” picture. (0:57)
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held its fourth hearing on Guantanamo Bay Interrogation Rules. Subpoenaed former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith gave testimony to counter accusations that he encouraged inhumane interrogation techniques. (more…)
At a meeting of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) says that Douglas Feith, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, made an “affront” against the Committee and the American people when he did not show up to give testimony at a hearing last week on abusive interrogation techniques.(0:58)
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties met to discuss the issuance of a subpoena to Douglas Feith, the former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. Feith was scheduled to give witness at a hearing last Wednesday, but canceled his appearance four hours before its scheduled time. The hearing was for discussion of the Bush Administration’s role in authorizing the use of abusive interrogation policies. (more…)
The investigation into the administration’s interrogation policies and legal justifications continued before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Chairman Jerrold Nadler was concerned that America’s national security and values have not been well served by ‘legally suspect policies.’ (more…)
