John Conyers, Jr.,
Chairman House Judiciary Committee
2138 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 2051

Dear Chairman Conyers (John),

I appreciate your leadership in providing strong oversight by the Judiciary Committee to ensure the Executive Branch respects and adheres to the rule of law. To that end, I request that the Judiciary Committee conduct hearings to examine whether the Bush/Cheney Administration abused the power of the Executive Branch and took actions in contravention of United States and international law in conducting the war in Iraq. The hearings should also explore the Administration's assertions of executive power and the chilling effect on the exercise of Constitutional rights.

Congress and the American public have become familiar with the allegations against the Bush/Cheney Administration, which include providing false intelligence to Congress in advocating for the Iraq War and torturing detainees in American custody. As an attorney and member of the Judiciary Committee, I am particularly concerned about the role played by senior-level Executive Branch attorneys in enabling these actions.

In providing advice during the Iraq War, certain Executive Branch attorneys manipulated the plain meaning of codified law in an attempt to provide "legal cover" for Executive Branch actions that were anything but legal. Rather than advising military officers of the clear language of United States and international law barring the use of torture, these attorneys drafted deceptive and poorly-reasoned memoranda enabling such torture, even against American citizens. Executive Branch attorneys have an obligation to inform Executive Branch officials of what the law is --not what Executive Branch officials think it should be. Many have failed to meet their obligations.

I respectfully request that the Judiciary Committee hold hearings on these matters in the near future. Congress and the American public should have the opportunity to understand the scope of the Bush/Cheney Administration's violations and determine if further action by Congress is required. I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Brad Sherman
MEMBER OF CONGRESS