The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MEJA EXPANSION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2007” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2139 on Oct. 15, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MEJA EXPANSION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2007
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speech of
HON. JANIS D. SCHAKOWSKY
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Virginia has offered a motion to recommit H.R. 2740, the MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act, to the Judiciary Committee and to modify the legislation with regard to intelligence activities. I will support this motion to recommit, but wish to clearly state my understanding of the motion.
The motion to recommit would amend H.R. 2740 with a rule of construction, stating, ``nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect intelligence activities that are otherwise permissible prior to the enactment of this Act.'' This amendment does not change the force of the legislation, does not limit the scope of the MEJA jurisdiction, and does not grant immunity to anyone, including contractor employees of the intelligence community. I am voting in support of this motion because it simply restates existing law.
Mr. Price's legislation would place contractor employees of non-
defense related agencies under the extraterritorial jurisdiction of United States federal law, granting the Department of Justice authority to prosecute felony offenses committed by non-defense contractors. The motion to recommit restates what the underlying bill requires--that intelligence activities are subject to the requirements of MEJA. Nothing in this motion to recommit or the legislation should ever be construed to authorize, condone or legitimize the abuse of prisoners during detention or interrogations. It is with this understanding alone that I support this motion to recommit.
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