AP Sources: Obama leads appeal to senators to change defense bill’s terror provisions

[boxman15]

From the Washington Post:

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and his national security team are appealing to lawmakers for last-minute changes to a sweeping defense bill that requires military custody for terrorism suspects linked to al-Qaida, including those captured within the U.S.

The legislation is caught in an escalating dispute between the White House and Congress over the politically charged issue of whether to treat suspected terrorists as prisoners of war or criminals.

Obama spoke to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich. Clinton and Panetta also spoke to Levin, and Mueller has met with Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, administration and congressional officials said Friday.

The Senate bill would require that the military take custody of a suspect deemed to be a member of al-Qaida or its affiliates and involved in plotting or committing attacks on the United States, with an exemption for U.S. citizens. The bill does allow the executive branch to waive the military’s authority based on national security and hold a suspect in civilian custody, but the administration argues that is insufficient.

The legislation also would deny suspected terrorists, even U.S. citizens seized within the nation’s borders, the right to trial and subject them to indefinite detention. The Obama administration also opposes that change.

Full article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/ap-sources-obama-seeks-changes-to-defense-bills-terror-provisions-in-talks-with-senators/2011/12/09/gIQARVs8hO_story.html

[boxman15]

1. Bueller? Bueller?

[Remember Me]

2. Wow, talk about cognitive dissonance -- here's Sen. Levin saying that

the Obama administration had ASKED for that --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLiKvSz_wX8


I'm feeling a little surreal at the moment.

[boppers]

3. No, the Obama administration said they:

"could not accept legislation that “challenges or constrains the president’s authorities to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists and protect the nation.”"

Granting exceptions to US citizens does just that, as the overall bill aims to do that.