McCain gets victory

The Associated Press is reporting that the White House has agreed to accept Sen. John McCain’s call for a law specifically banning cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of foreign suspects in the war on terror. The media-savvy McCain has long been besting the White House in the public square over the issue, but strong Congressional support for the law may been been the final straw. The law, known as McCain Amendment, passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 308-122 and had earlier passed the Senate on a 90-9 vote. The AP explains:

Under the emerging deal, the CIA and other civilian interrogators would be given the same legal rights as currently guaranteed members of the military who are accused of breaking interrogation guidelines, these officials added. Those rules say the accused can defend themselves by arguing it was reasonable for them to believe they were obeying a legal order.

Until now Bush has threatened to veto any law that contained the amendment. An official announcement may come later today from President Bush and McCain.