WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) measure requiring U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to regularly report to Congress on the status of U.S. citizens detained by the federal government passed the full House of Representatives today as part of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Reauthorization bill (H.R. 3036). Schiff originally introduced the measure as an amendment to the DOJ Reauthorization bill in the House Judiciary Committee in September 2003.
“Congress must vigorously oversee the Justice Department’s efforts in the war on terrorism and in no area is this more important than in the detentions of U.S. citizens,” Rep. Schiff said today. “This legislation will require the Attorney General to give regular status reports to Congress in order to ensure that all Americans are afforded their right to due process.”
Specifically, Schiff’s language requires a report from the Attorney General at least once a year detailing the following: 1) How many U.S. citizens and residents are currently detained, and 2) What standards the Department of Justice uses to designate someone as an enemy combatant, rather than trying them as a criminal defendant.
Schiff has a long history of working to ensure that all Americans are granted their due process rights under the Constitution. In February 2003, he introduced the Detention of Enemy Combatants Act, which authorizes the detention of enemy combatants provided that all detainees are granted access to counsel and due process of law. The Detention of Enemy Combatants Act is currently awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary and Armed Services Committees.
Rep. Schiff, a former federal prosecutor, is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations Committees. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.