Senator Lindsey Graham Threatens to Shut Down Congress to Prevent Release of Detainee Abuse Photos

Strategic Insights -

Senator Lindsey Graham joined Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Channel's "On the Record" on June 9, 2009, to discuss the release of detainee abuse photos, which he believes would be a death sentence for American troops. Graham and Senator Joe Lieberman are pushing for legislation to prevent the release of the photos, and Graham has threatened to shut down the Senate if the bill is not passed.

Graham stated that the administration initially supported the release of the photos but later changed its mind after Generals Odierno and Petraeus warned that it would result in violence against American soldiers. The Supreme Court has a hearing scheduled in 30 days, and Graham is urging Congress to act before then to prevent the release of the photos. He believes that the most liberal members of the House are doing the ACLU's business instead of the nation's business and wants them to speak up against the release of the photos.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Joe Lieberman are pushing for legislation to prevent the release of detainee abuse photos, which they believe would put American troops in jeopardy.
  • The administration initially supported the release of the photos but later changed its mind after Generals Odierno and Petraeus warned of potential violence against American soldiers.
  • The Supreme Court has a hearing scheduled in 30 days, and Graham is urging Congress to act before then to prevent the release of the photos.
  • Graham has threatened to shut down the Senate if the bill is not passed, stating that he will "do anything and everything" to prevent the release of the photos.
  • The commanders in the field have told Congress and the president that releasing the photos would result in violence against American troops and give al-Qaeda "bullets."
  • The House has stripped the language preventing the release of the photos from the supplemental war funding bill, but Graham hopes that they will change their mind and support the bill.

Statistics:

  • 30 days: The time frame until the Supreme Court has a hearing on the release of the detainee abuse photos.
  • 2nd Circuit: The court that initially ruled that the detainee abuse photos should be released.
  • Supreme Court: The court that has a hearing scheduled in 30 days on the release of the detainee abuse photos.
  • 20: The number of senators who unanimously allowed Lieberman and Graham to put an amendment in the supplemental war funding bill to prevent the release of the photos.

Sources:

  • "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren, Fox News Channel, June 9, 2009.
  • Federal News Service, Inc. is a private firm not affiliated with the federal government.