Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC):

"I am deeply disappointed in what I think is a tremendously dangerous and irresponsible ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Court's decision is bad on many levels and I will continue to review the decision and determine its sweeping effect on our military. I will also explore the possibility, if necessary, of a constitutional amendment to blunt the effect of this decision when it comes to protecting our men and women in the military and our nation as a whole." (More)

Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT):

There is nothing more fundamental than the right of habeas corpus. In three separate decisions, the Supreme Court in recent years has rejected this administration's erosion of fundamental rights. These protections set the United States apart from those who wish to harm us. This decision echoes earlier court opinions that have solidified our constitutional system of checks and balances. The administration has rolled back essential rights that have long guided our nation's conscience.

Today's Supreme Court decision in Boumediene v. Bush is a stinging rebuke of the Bush administration's flawed detention policies, and a vindication for those who have also argued from the beginning that it was unwise as well as unconstitutional. (More)

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX):

Upon initial review, the Supreme Court's ruling is both troubling and disappointing. A slim, 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court ignored the informed wartime policy choices of both elected branches of the federal government. In 2006, 65 Senators - Democrats and Republicans alike - approved a carefully crafted law that provided these detainees a fair process consistent with America's critical national security needs.

But, today the Supreme Court ignored this law and the informed expertise of the President and Congress in matters of national security - and gave itself a blank check to assume control of wartime detainee policy. This is unacceptable and unprecedented.

Senator John Kerry (D-MA):

Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what almost everyone but the Administration and their defenders in Congress always knew. The Constitution and the rule of law bind all of us even in extraordinary times of war. No one is above the Constitution. The historic writ of habeas corpus endures. This is a major rebuke of the Administration's post-9/11 policies that have divided us at home, alienated and isolated us abroad, and made Americans less safe. The next step is to erase this great stain on our moral authority by promptly shutting down Guantanamo.

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE):

Today's opinion is an important and much-needed check by a co-equal branch of government on an Administration which has shown utter contempt for the rule of law. As we look forward, we must take stock that this decision was five Justices to four. If one more Justice in the mold of Chief Justice Roberts or Justice Alito is appointed to the Court, decisions such as this will likely come out the other way. (More)

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI):

Today's Supreme Court decision is yet another stinging rebuke of the Bush administration's extreme views on executive power. Time after time, the Supreme Court has rebuffed the administration's attempts to undermine the Constitution, from its Rasul and Hamdi decisions in 2004 to its Hamdan decision in 2006. It is a testament to our system of government that the Court has rejected the habeas-stripping provisions of the Military Commissions Act and reaffirmed that the government does not have the power to detain people indefinitely and arbitrarily without judicial review. The writ of habeas corpus provides one of the most significant protections of human freedom against arbitrary government action ever created. We can and must fight terrorists without abandoning the principles on which our country was founded.