Abu Ghraib Prison Abuses

Calling the refusal by House Republicans to investigate prison abuses a “dereliction of Congress’ oversight responsibility,” Rep. Waxman and other Democratic leaders have informed the President of their determination to investigate allegations of abuse in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. All 19 members of the Government Reform Committee minority have urged Chairman Davis to reconsider his position on investigating the role of private contractors in the Abu Ghraib abuses.

Special Features

Iraq on the Record: The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq

Chronology

Wednesday, June 23, 2004
H.Res. 690, Creating a Select Committee on Prison Abuses
Rep. Waxman, alongside Democratic Leader Pelosi, Armed Services Ranking Member Skelton, and nine other congressional leaders, introduces legislation to create a select committee in the House to investigate the abuses of detainees held in U.S. custody in Abu Ghraib prison and elsewhere.
- Co-Sponsors
- H.R. 690 Bill Text
- Rep. Waxman's Statement

Monday, June 07, 2004
Democrats Determined to Investigate Prison Abuses
Calling the refusal by House Republicans to investigate prison abuses a “dereliction of Congress’ oversight responsibility,” Ranking Members Waxman (Government Reform), Conyers (Judiciary), Obey (Appropriations), Skelton (Armed Services), Lantos (International Relations), and Harman (Intelligence) inform the President of their determination to investigate the allegations of prison abuses in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, and ask the President for assistance in obtaining key documents.
- Letter to the President

Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Chairman Davis Urged To Open Abu Ghraib Abuse Investigation
Calling the decision by the Republican leadership to defer to the Administration’s internal investigations “an abdication of Congress’ constitutional oversight responsibility,” all 19 members of the Government Reform Committee minority urge Chairman Davis to reconsider his position on investigating the role of private contractors in the Abu Ghraib abuses.
- Letter to Chairman Davis

Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Committee Should Investigate Involvement of Contractors in Abu Ghraib Abuse
Rep. Waxman writes Chairman Davis to request that the Committee immediately investigate allegations that private contractors participated in the abuse of Iraqi detainees at the Abu Ghraib Army prison outside Baghdad.
- Letter to Chairman Davis