Weekly Update (12/14/07)

Destroyed CIA Interrogation Tapes Raise Questions about Agency and Bush Administration
This week, the House Intelligence Committee began what will most likely be a long-term investigation of the CIA., looking into the destruction of tapes showing the interrogation of suspected Al Queda operatives. These tapes are said to have shown the controversial waterboarding interrogation technique, which is widely regarded as torture. The interrogations took place in 2002, and the tapes were destroyed in 2005, after a court order mandated that the CIA retain and identify all materials related to the treatment of detainees in the agency's custody. These same detainees have been refused many legal rights, and now the Bush administration will also be questioned regarding what it knew about the CIA tapes and their destruction.

This issue illustrates the need for change in the government, starting with the election of progressive Democrats. The country cannot continue down this path – only more obstructions of justice will occur, as we lose the most basic and central American rights and values. DAPAC's Congress members and candidates will work to ensure that we have a lawful government and a just society.

SCHIP Vetoed Again By Bush, Killing the Expansion of Popular Children's Healthcare Program
President Bush has again vetoed a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and this move will make it impossible to cover all the children in need of health insurance. Democrats fought to get the bill passed, but were unable to override the first veto in October. For now, Congress will likely extend the current program, and will possibly bring the expansion up again prior to the 2008 elections, when Republicans will face extra pressure from their districts to vote for this popular bill.

Updates From Our Endorsed Candidates
John Laesch, DAPAC's endorsed candidate running in Illinois' 14th district, is officially on the ballot for the special primary to fill Dennis Hastert's seat. John's campaign has successfully collected the needed signatures, and now his name will appear on the February 5th ballot.

Jay Footlik, our endorsed candidate running in Illinois 10th, recently earned the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 504, which is the largest union in the district. The union met with both Democratic candidates, and made their choice based on the quality and electability of each.