| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster voted for legislation today that will help prosecute terrorists while still protecting our troops and intelligence agents. The Military Commission Act establishes a system of justice for suspected terrorists while protecting our nation’s intelligence capabilities and our troops on the battlefield. The bill passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 253 to168.
“This is a new kind of war and a new kind of enemy we’re fighting,” said Shuster, who co-sponsored a similar bill earlier this month. “Enemy soldiers used to wear uniforms, but that’s no longer the case. This bill helps us to go after terrorists and prosecute them, as well as those who support and finance them.”
The bill retroactively applies to detainees held in connection with September 11th, the attack on the USS Cole and the embassy bombings in Africa, so that they can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Furthermore, the Military Commission Act helps to fight the ongoing War on Terror and punish terrorists, while protecting classified and sensitive information. The bill ensures that information and matters related to the safety of this nation will not be made available to the enemy when they stand trial for their crimes.
“It is vital that we keep classified information out of the hands of the enemy,” said Shuster, a member of the House Armed Services committee. “These people have proven that they will stop at nothing to harm America and disrupt our way of life. I’m proud to vote for legislation that protects America from having to give information to a terrorist that they would try to use against us.”
The Military Commission Act was originally drafted by the House Armed Services committee, which Shuster sits on. The final product is based on a compromise between the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Administration. |
