In October, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) proposed a measure to ban the cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners captured in the so-called "war on terrorism." The legislation would require interrogators to adhere strictly to guidelines set forth in the Army field manual. The guidelines would apply to both military and CIA interrogators.

In early October, the Senate voted 90-9 (including 46 Republican "yeas") - to attach McCain's legislation to its 2006 defense appropriations and authorization bills. Yet despite such strong bipartisan support in the Senate, Republican leaders in the House are using a procedural loophole to block a floor vote to attach the measure to House defense bills.

Despite the fact that top administration officials, most notably Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, oppose Cheney's proposed exemption, President Bush has threatened to veto House and Senate defense bills if they include McCain's amendment.

Meanwhile, Vice President Dick Cheney, after repeated failed attempts to lobby members of Congress to reject the legislation altogether, is pressuring lawmakers to include a stipulation that exempts CIA operatives from the provisions of McCain's legislation. Cheney's tune hasn't changed in the four years since he said, "A lot of what needs to be done here will have to be done quietly, without any discussion, using sources and methods that are available to our intelligence agencies.... so it's going to be vital for us to use any means at our disposal, basically, to achieve our objective" (emphasis added) [1].

Fortunately, other leaders are rejecting this administration's "any means" necessary mentality. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) has said: "I think the administration is making a terrible mistake in opposing John McCain's amendment on detainees and torture" [2].

The cruel and inhumane treatment of any human being is not justified under any circumstances. As Christians who believe in the fundamental dignity of the human person and as Americans who don't wish to see our image abroad further tarnished, we call on our legislators to pass McCain's measure.

For up-to-date information on anti-torture legislation and events, see the Web site of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition: http://tassc.org/

[1] The Vice President appears on Meet the Press with Tim Russert
http://www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident/news-speeches/speeches/vp20010916.html

[2] GOP senator criticizes White House torture stance
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/06/congress.detainees.ap/