Thursday marks an important milestone for Senate bill S.185, known as the "Habeas Corpus Restoration Act." The bill, authored by Senators Arlen Specter and Pat Leahy and co-sponsored by 17 senators, would restore the writ of habeas corpus to detainees held under under the Military Commissions Act. Tomorrow's vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee will determine whether the bill moves to the floor for a full debate.
It's vitally important for Texans to make themselves heard on this bill. Sen. John Cornyn serves on the Judiciary Committee. Call his office and ask him to support the bill. Firedoglake has a list of toll-free numbers for the capitol switchboard.
Don't hold your breath that Cornyn will see the light. Last fall, we witnessed what might be the nadir of his short and undistinguished tenure in the Senate, when Cornyn, previously a Texas Attorney General and Texas Supreme Court Justice, argued stridently and ultimately successfully for the suspension of one of our most fundamental rights under the Constitution. The debate on what became known as the "torture bill" drew some of the most impassioned and dramatic testimony of the session.
So make that call. And when you're done, make a donation to the campaign of his future replacement. It isn't every day you can help to right two wrongs.
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