“This decision demonstrates the egregious flaws of the Military Commissions Act, and makes the point once again that Congress must act immediately to change this law.  The current system of prosecuting enemy combatants is not only inefficient and ineffective, it is also hurting America’s moral standing in the world and corroding the foundation of freedom upon which our nation was built.  There is too much at stake – our nation’s security and standing in the world – for us to wait for another one of these poorly executed cases to make the necessary changes to this system.  I hope my colleagues in Congress will join me now in the fight to restore America’s moral authority in developing a tough but fair system of bringing terrorists to justice.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, applauded the President's announcement today that the Department of the Treasury would extend U.S. sanctions to 30 Sudanese companies and three individuals who, according to the Administrations, have contributed to the mass murder of countless people in Darfur.  Dodd also insisted that more remained to be done, announcing his intention to push for speedy enactment of his bill to increase penalties against companies that invest in the Sudan and other rogue and terrorist nations.

The Senate approved yesterday a resolution proposed by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) regarding the Venezuelan Government’s refusal to renew the broadcast license of Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).  RCTV is Venezuela’s oldest privately owned TV station, and is one of the last remaining non-Government run media outlets in Venezuela, one that maintains an editorial stance that is different from Mr. Chavez’s way of thinking.  According to the principles of the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Declaration of Principles on Freedom and Expression, to both of which Venezuela is a party, the decision not to renew RCTV’s license is an assault against freedom of thought and expression.  The resolution passed in the Senate by unanimous consent.

U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) today introduced the Free Flow of Information Act, which seeks to protect the public's right to information through a free press. Senators Graham, Domenici, and Landrieu joined as original cosponsors of this resolution. This legislation provides journalists with certain rights and abilities to seek sources and report appropriate information without fear of intimidation or imprisonment.  U.S. Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Mike Pence (R-IN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to President Bush in response to a speech he delivered on April 18 on the genocide occurring in Darfur and his decision to delay implementing additional sanctions.  The letter expresses concern about the open-endedness of the time frame he has proposed for implementing these sanctions and notes that these sanctions had been scheduled to take effect over 100 days ago, when the Government of Sudan failed to meet the Administration’s January 1^st deadline to accept a robust United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force.

Today, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) took another step in his longstanding effort to restore America’s moral authority and right the wrongs embodied in the Military Commissions Act of 2006.  In February, Senator Dodd introduced the “Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007,” legislation which would restore Habeas Corpus rights, bar evidence gained through torture or coercion and reinstate U.S. adherence to the Geneva Conventions in order to protect the nation’s military personnel abroad.  In response to a March letter from Senator Dodd to Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) requesting that he formally consider this legislation, the Senate Armed Services Committee today held a hearing to receive testimony on legal issues regarding individuals detained by the Department of Defense as unlawful enemy combatants.

Today, an interfaith group comprised of many of Connecticut’s top religious leaders held a press conference in Hartford to express support for the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007, legislation Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced in February which would restore Habeas Corpus rights, bar evidence gained through torture or coercion and reinstate U.S. adherence to the Geneva Conventions.  The bill is also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, the Center for Victims of Torture, Open Society Institute, and Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International. 

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to decline the appeals of two inmates at Guantanamo Bay is extremely regrettable, as it would have helped restore America's international credibility with respect to adherence to the Rule of Law.

“This misguided decision highlights the urgency of enacting the Restoring the Constitution Act into law.  This legislation would restore basic rights to people who have been imprisoned by our government, and protect our men and women serving overseas by restoring adherence to the Geneva Conventions.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) sent a letter today to Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urging the Committee to hold a hearing on the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007, legislation which would restore Habeas Corpus rights, bar evidence gained through torture or coercion and reinstate U.S. adherence to the Geneva Conventions in order to protect the nation’s military personnel abroad.  Senator Dodd was joined by cosponsors Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in sending the letter to Chairman Levin.