Where is the signing statement for the McCain Anti-Torture amendment (the Detainee Treatment Act)?
If you’re confused, you have good reason. Congress enacted two pieces of legislation concerning the treatment of detainees, and President Bush issued a signing statement for each. The first Detainee Treatment Act was contained in H.R. 2863, the “Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006.” That bill was signed on December 5, 2005, and is now Public Law 109-148. Click here for the signing statement for PL 109-148. The second Detainee Treatment Act was part of H.R. 1815, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.” That bill was signed on January 6, 2006, and is now Public Law 109-163. Click here for the signing statement for PL 109-163. There is a CRS report that gives a good, clear overview of these two acts. CRS Report for Congress RL33655, Interrogation of Detainees: Overview of the McCain Amendment (updated September 25, 2006) (source: Federation of American Scientists).
