Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2006
Buck December 8th, 2006 - 2:11 pmSTATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Specter Leahy
Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Leahy): S. 4081. A bill to restore habeas corpus for those detained by the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. SPECTER: Mr. President, I introduce legislation which is captioned “Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2006” which I introduced on behalf of myself and Senator Leahy. The legislation which was adopted earlier this year on war crimes struck out habeas corpus jurisdiction of the Federal courts, sought to limit jurisdiction of the Federal courts on habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees and others detained on charges of being enemy combatants or war criminals.
There was very extended debate on the issue at that time. The bill reported by the Armed Services Committee and backed by the administration eliminated the jurisdiction of the Federal courts. I offered an amendment to reinstate habeas corpus. It was defeated 51 to 48. This legislation would reinstate habeas corpus jurisdiction of the Federal courts.
