Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/house-senate-committees-pass-opposing-tribunals-plans Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Despite President Bush's visits to GOP lawmakers at the Capitol, pushing his plan for military tribunals, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted late Thursday to recommend a bill differing from a version backed by the President and House. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. KWAME HOLMAN: President Bush traveled to Capitol Hill today for a visit that was part lobbying trip, part rescue mission. His proposals to establish military tribunals for Guantanamo detainees and other suspected terrorists and guidelines for their treatment are on the ropes.They've been embraced by House Republicans but are being challenged openly by key Republicans in the Senate. The president spoke this morning after a meeting that included only Republicans from the House.GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States: I reminded them that the most important job of government is to protect the homeland, and yesterday they advanced an important piece of legislation to do just that. KWAME HOLMAN: That legislation came from the House Armed Services Committee, where 52 of 60 members approved a bill that mirrors what the president has proposed. It would mandate military commissions much like those the president installed after 9/11 but which were struck down by the Supreme Court in June.Testimony against detainees obtained using coercive methods would be permissible in court and so would classified evidence that the accused never would get to see. The bill also would redefine Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits cruel and inhumane treatment, so as to give American military personnel more flexibility during interrogations.House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter said U.S. troops also would be shielded from prosecution for their interrogation tactics unless their acts went too far.REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-CA), House Armed Services Chairman: It has to be treatment that, under our case law, shocks the conscience. That is, it has to be a real crime.