Email message from Rep. Wexler.

Rep. Wexler wrote yesterday:

Today's hearing in the Judiciary Committee focused on mounting evidence that senior members of the Bush Administration specifically approved torture techniques outlawed by US and International law. This issue is directly relevant to the articles of impeachment introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich relating to torture, and today's hearing should add momentum to our campaign in favor of impeachment hearings.

During my questioning of Mr. Ashcroft, he refused to answer my repeated direct questions about the so-called "principals meetings" he took part in with Vice President Cheney, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, and Alberto Gonzales where these key officials reportedly approved detailed interrogations against specific prisoners that included torture techniques including water boarding. Despite the fact that much of this information is in the public record, Mr. Ashcroft stubbornly refused to answer my legitimate questions and instead decide to "keep faith" with the Bush Administration and keep secrets from the American people and the Congress of the United States.

At issue here is nothing less than the Rule of Law:
The President does not have the authority to violate US law.

Let there be no mistake, we must not waver in our fight against terrorism, but we cannot allow this fight to be used as a means of undermining the most fundamental American civil liberties and human rights.

This Administration has seized every opportunity to use terrorist threats to scare the public and improperly consolidate power in the Executive. In turn, the public has watched as two centuries of constitutional protections are torn apart. Our enemies across the world use brutal, monstrous tactics to scare us. In response, Bush and Cheney illegally formulated their own American brand of brutality - including water boarding and infliction of physical pain that gives the impression of impending death.

By torturing prisoners - the Administration has put us in even greater danger - as whatever information that is gained through past torture would likely be inadmissible and endanger the trials of those that we would otherwise want to keep detained.

We must stand against the illegal and outrageous actions of the Bush Administration – actions that definitely constitute high crimes.

I will continue to stand beside you as we force accountability for this White House. Keep up your efforts and keep faith.

Congressman Robert Wexler