Leahy And Feinstein Endorse Use Of Federal Courts To Prosecute Terrorists

(02/11/2010)

(RTTNews) -  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Ver., and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent a letter to President Barack Obama Thursday endorsing the use of federal criminal courts to prosecute terrorists.

"We are writing today to endorse the use of our Federal criminal courts to prosecute and bring terrorists to justice," Leahy and Feinstein wrote. "Our system of justice is strong enough to prosecute the people who have attacked us."

The lawmakers also endorsed the administration's flexibility to use all available venues for prosecution, citing as examples the administration's plans to try the September 11th defendants and suspected Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in Federal court.

"We appreciate this administration's willingness to use all possible venues to seek justice," the Senators said.

"Congress should not tie the hands of our national security and law enforcement agencies, but should instead ensure they have the flexibility to use every means available," they added. "Congress should be working with you in a shared mission to most effectively protect our national security and to ensure that just convictions, once obtained, will be sustained and upheld."

The administration has said that they are considering putting suspected September 11th mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others with suspected ties to 9/11 on trial in New York City rather than putting them on trial in a military court.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee has held several hearings on the issue of how to best handle terrorism suspects and Guantanamo detainees. Experts and judges have agreed that our criminal justice system can handle this challenge," Leahy and Feinstein wrote.

They added, "There has been debate about whether to try the men accused of plotting the September 11 attacks in civilian courts or military commissions. We believe that whether such a trial is held in New York City or another location, these men should be brought to justice in a Federal court."

The letter from Leahy and Feinstein comes shortly after fellow Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska expressed his support for a bill seeking to block the administration from trying the September 11th suspects in civilian courts.

Nelson joined Democratic Sens. Jim Webb of Virginia and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas in supporting the legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The bill has a total of 27 cosponsors.

Source: RTT News