FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2007
Conservatives Launch Effort to Rollback Presidential Abuse of Power Conservative Leaders and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul pledge to restore checks and balances
WASHINGTON, DC - The Liberty Coalition, a transpartisan public policy group dedicated to preserving the Bill of Rights, personal autonomy and individual privacy, applauds yesterday’s launch of the American Freedom Agenda (AFA). A cooperative effort of deeply respected conservative leaders Bruce Fein, Bob Barr, David Keene and Richard Viguery, AFA’s mission is to enact legislation that restores “the Constitution’s checks and balances” and makes the subject “a staple of political campaigns and of foremost concern to Members of Congress and to voters and educators.”
At an event at the National Press Club, AFA unveiled a ten point agenda to roll back an accumulation of presidential and executive power that they argue has come at the expense of the legislative and judiciary branches of government. While Presidents have consistently overstepped their constitutional authority since the beginning of the 20th century, AFA asserts that abuse of executive power has exploded since 9/11. In the coming days, AFA will release draft legislation to:
• End the use of military commissions to prosecute crimes.
• Prohibit the use of secret evidence or evidence obtained by torture.
• Prohibit the detention of American citizens as enemy combatants without proof.
• Restore habeas corpus for alleged alien combatants.
• End National Security Agency warrentless wiretapping.
• Empower Congress to challenge presidential signing statements.
• Bar executive use of the state secret privilege to deny justice.
• Prohibit the President from collaborating with foreign governments to kidnap, detain of torture persons abroad.
• Amend the Espionage Act to permit journalists to report on classified national security matters without threat of persecution.
• Prohibit of the labeling of groups or individuals in the U.S. as global terrorists based on secret evidence.
“The Founding Fathers constructed a system of Constitutional checks and balances to guard against abusive government power. Those safeguards have been dangerously compromised, and without bold action, liberty is in grave danger,” said Liberty Coalition National Director Michael Ostrolenk. “I commend the American Freedom Agenda for their efforts and urge Congress to pursue their agenda.”
AFA will also offer a Presidential Pledge to all 2008 hopefuls. By signing the pledge, candidates commit themselves to implement the ten point plan if elected. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) attended the kick-off event and became the first candidate to sign the American Freedom Agenda Pledge.
“By signing the American Freedom Agenda Pledge, Ron Paul has once again demonstrated his exceptional commitment to freedom and the Constitution,” continued Ostrolenk. “All presidential candidates who care about liberty should sign the AFA Pledge.”
-30- Information in this document should not be taken as an endorsement by any partner organization unless explicitly stated as such. To arrange an interview with Mr. Ostrolenk, please contact Jesse Benton at 202-246-6363. For more information on The Liberty Coalition, please visit www.libertycoalition.net.
Conservatives Launch Effort to Rollback Presidential Abuse of Power Conservative Leaders and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul pledge to restore checks and balances
WASHINGTON, DC - The Liberty Coalition, a transpartisan public policy group dedicated to preserving the Bill of Rights, personal autonomy and individual privacy, applauds yesterday’s launch of the American Freedom Agenda (AFA). A cooperative effort of deeply respected conservative leaders Bruce Fein, Bob Barr, David Keene and Richard Viguery, AFA’s mission is to enact legislation that restores “the Constitution’s checks and balances” and makes the subject “a staple of political campaigns and of foremost concern to Members of Congress and to voters and educators.”
At an event at the National Press Club, AFA unveiled a ten point agenda to roll back an accumulation of presidential and executive power that they argue has come at the expense of the legislative and judiciary branches of government. While Presidents have consistently overstepped their constitutional authority since the beginning of the 20th century, AFA asserts that abuse of executive power has exploded since 9/11. In the coming days, AFA will release draft legislation to:
• End the use of military commissions to prosecute crimes.
• Prohibit the use of secret evidence or evidence obtained by torture.
• Prohibit the detention of American citizens as enemy combatants without proof.
• Restore habeas corpus for alleged alien combatants.
• End National Security Agency warrentless wiretapping.
• Empower Congress to challenge presidential signing statements.
• Bar executive use of the state secret privilege to deny justice.
• Prohibit the President from collaborating with foreign governments to kidnap, detain of torture persons abroad.
• Amend the Espionage Act to permit journalists to report on classified national security matters without threat of persecution.
• Prohibit of the labeling of groups or individuals in the U.S. as global terrorists based on secret evidence.
“The Founding Fathers constructed a system of Constitutional checks and balances to guard against abusive government power. Those safeguards have been dangerously compromised, and without bold action, liberty is in grave danger,” said Liberty Coalition National Director Michael Ostrolenk. “I commend the American Freedom Agenda for their efforts and urge Congress to pursue their agenda.”
AFA will also offer a Presidential Pledge to all 2008 hopefuls. By signing the pledge, candidates commit themselves to implement the ten point plan if elected. Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) attended the kick-off event and became the first candidate to sign the American Freedom Agenda Pledge.
“By signing the American Freedom Agenda Pledge, Ron Paul has once again demonstrated his exceptional commitment to freedom and the Constitution,” continued Ostrolenk. “All presidential candidates who care about liberty should sign the AFA Pledge.”
-30- Information in this document should not be taken as an endorsement by any partner organization unless explicitly stated as such. To arrange an interview with Mr. Ostrolenk, please contact Jesse Benton at 202-246-6363. For more information on The Liberty Coalition, please visit www.libertycoalition.net.
