2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Urges Senate to Back Detainee Bill

By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
28 September 2006

President Bush met with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Thursday, ahead of expected Senate passage of a bill dealing¹ with the treatment and trials of terrorism suspects.   Mr. Bush says the measure would give him an important tool in the war on terror.

----

A day after the House of Representatives approved its version of the legislation, President Bush urged the Senate to do likewise.

 
President Bush, right, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill
  
"Our most important responsibility is to protect the American people from further attack," said Mr. Bush.  "We cannot be able to tell the American people we are doing our full job, unless we have the tools necessary to do so."

The legislation establishes limits on the techniques used to interrogate² terror suspects, but denies detainees access to courts to challenge their imprisonment³.

Many Democrats⁵ argue that the measure, negotiated by Senate Republicans and the White House, would allow unfair trials and abusive interrogation techniques.

Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the top Democrat⁴ on the Armed Services Committee, warned that the legislation sets a dangerous example.

Senator Carl Levin    
  
"The changes in the bill, which is now before us, taken together, would put our own troops at risk, if other countries decide to apply similar standards to our troops, if they are captured or detained," said Senator Levin.

The Senate Wednesday rejected an amendment⁶ that would have expanded detainees' legal rights.

Senators are to consider several other amendments⁷ before voting on the overall legislation.

Republicans hope to campaign on the legislation in the run-up to November congressional elections to show their tough stand on terrorism.

Despite Democrats' misgivings⁸ about the bill, many will likely vote for the measure out of concern they would appear weak on the fight against terror.

1 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

2 interrogate   

vt.讯问，审问，盘问

参考例句：

• The lawyer took a long time to interrogate the witness fully.律师花了很长时间仔细询问目击者。
• We will interrogate the two suspects separately.我们要对这两个嫌疑人单独进行审讯。

3 imprisonment   

n.关押，监禁，坐牢

参考例句：

• His sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.他的判决由死刑减为无期徒刑。
• He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for committing bigamy.他因为犯重婚罪被判入狱一年。

4 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

7 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

8 misgivings   

n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧

参考例句：

• I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。
• Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后， 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧！ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》