This week in lame-duckery, the Senate to the Hill yesterday and the House is back tomorrow. S. 3245, the Justice Integrity Act of 2008, was introduced by Senator, now vice-president-elect, Joe Biden (D-Del.) on July 10, 2008. S. 3245 would establish a pilot program to identify and eliminate unjustified racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system; it will be hotlined in the Senate next week, but unfortunately it isn't likely to be voted on by the House until the next Congress.

We're also looking S.3061, the reauthorization of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (PDF), to move in the Senate this week. Which is timely, because we just joined a lawsuit that deals with that very law.

Tuesday, November 18

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee holds its (and it's a mouthful): "Return of subpoenas regarding legal analysis and advice from the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel related to the Bush administration's terrorism policies, including detention and interrogation policies and practices" hearing. Attorney General Michael Mukasey was ordered to produce all torture documents for this hearing. Will he comply? Stay tuned.

Permalink |