"We first introduced this resolution a year ago after the Republican majority refused repeated requests to investigate the accounts of prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib," said Rep. Waxman. "Since then, the scope of the problem has exploded. Nearly every week brings new reports of horrific abuse of individuals in U.S. custody. Yet still there has been no serious congressional investigation. The failure of Congress to conduct responsible oversight, which is our constitutional duty, is shameful."

In just the past week, new evidence emerged of the desecration of the Koran at Guantanamo Bay, the involvement of Navy Seals in beating detainees in Iraq, and the gruesome, ultimately fatal torture of Afghans at the U.S. detention center in Bagram, Afghanistan.

The select committee would conduct a full review of the alleged abuses of detainees, investigate who is responsible, and assess whether legislative or executive action should result.

Current sponsors of the legislation: Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Government Reform Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, Democratic Whip Rep. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Rep. James E. Clyburn, Vice Chairman of House Democratic Caucus Rep. John M. Spratt, Jr., Assistant to the Democratic Leader Rep. Ike Skelton, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Armed Services Rep. Jane Harman, Ranking Minority Member, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Rep. Tom Lantos, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on International Relations Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Minority Member, Committee on the Judiciary Rep. John D. Dingell, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Energy and Commerce Rep. David R. Obey, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Appropriations Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Ways and Means Rep. George Miller, Ranking Minority Member, Committee Education and the Workforce Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey, Committee on Appropriations