WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today praised President Obama’s issuance of executive orders dealing with the detention and interrogation of terrorism suspects. Rep. Markey is the author of the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act, which he introduced in both the 109th and 110th Congresses to ban the Bush administration practice of sending terrorism suspects to other countries where they likely would be tortured.

Rep. Markey said: “By signing these orders today, President Obama has reversed damaging Bush administration policies that undercut our nation’s long-standing position as a just and moral leader in the world. The Bush administration’s torture policies, extraordinary renditions and operation of the Guantanamo Bay prison were contrary to the best traditions of the United States. In his first few hours in office, President Obama has taken crucial first steps towards renewing the stature of the United States in the eyes of the world community, and I am extremely encouraged that he has taken these steps so quickly upon assuming the presidency.”

For more on the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act see: http://markey.house.gov/torture

#  #  #