U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC, was one of 122 House members to vote last week against an anti-torture amendment first proposed by Sen. John McCain, R-AZ. Following the vote, Foxx issued this statement:
by Jim Thompson Editor The Jefferson Post
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC, was one of 122 House members to vote last week against an anti-torture amendment first proposed by Sen. John McCain, R-AZ. Following the vote, Foxx issued this statement:
“I do not in any way condone torture. Despite what some in the media are reporting, there are already laws prohibiting torture by any American, anywhere in the world. Torture by any American to any person is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. 2340 and 2340A. Any American who tortures a detainee faces up to 20 years in prison. If an American tortures someone to death, they can face the death penalty. There is absolutely no need for anyone to grandstand on this issue when there are already protections in place. Senator McCain’s legislation creates a misconception that abuse in military prisons is widespread and that simply is not true.”
Subsequent to the amendment’s passage, the White House indicated President Bush would not attempt to veto the McCain Amendment.
