Military Tribunals

MILITARY TRIBUNALS -- (House of Representatives - September 25, 2006)

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the hypocrisy of the Democrats and their so-called agenda for the war on terror. They have said much, yet done nothing; and actions speak louder than words.

One of the most critical programs in winning the global war on terror is military tribunals for known and suspected terrorists. Military tribunals for enemy combatants are commonsense justice and need to be instituted for just this reason.

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, terrorists would be allowed the opportunity to mount a full defense, certain statements obtained through interrogation would not be admissible, and they would be provided a defense counsel, one with clearance to review classified information on the terrorists' behalf.

But to afford terrorists the rights to review classified information for their defense is irresponsible and would only put our troops in jeopardy. I was shocked to learn that when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Hamdan ruling, providing foreign terrorists the same rights and privileges as Americans tried by a jury composed of the very people they want to kill, the Democratic leadership hailed this as a ``triumph for the rule of law.''

Mr. Speaker, giving the President the authority and legal framework for trying known and suspected terrorists must be granted if we are serious in bringing terrorists to justice and winning the global war on terror.

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