October 22, 2007 (LPAC)--In a speech on the floor of the House on October 15, Texas Republican and presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul introduced the "American Freedom Agenda Act of 2007." His bill, HR 3835, targets all the major elements of the drive for dictatorial executive power which have been promoted by Dick Cheney since 2001. The major features of Rep. Paul's bill are:

• To repeal the Military Commissions Act of 2006, by restricting the use of military commissions to "places of active hostility where a rapid trial is necessary to preserve evidence or prevent chaos."
• To prohibit, in military and civilian trials, the use of evidence obtained by torture or coercion.
• To confirm that foreign intelligence may not be gathered in violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). (Cheney and the White House now claim that the President's "inherent" powers as commander-in-chief can override laws such as FISA, and anti-torture laws and treaties.)
• Members of Congress are given the right to challenge Presidential "signing statements" that declare the President's intention to disregard a law passed by Congress.
• Kidnapping, torture, and "extraordinary rendition" of prisoners to foreign countries, based upon the President's sole determination would be prohibited, unless the person is taken before a tribunal "that meets international standards of fairness and due process."

No other member of Congress has yet had the courage to step forward and co-sponsor's Rep. Paul's legislation.