The bill, passed by the Senate Armed Service Committee by a 15-9 vote, highlights the clash between US President George W. Bush and some lawmakers on detainee legislation.

The Senate bill resisted Bush's bid to redefine the Geneva Convention's standards for humane treatment of prisoners, which Bush had said was essential to continue the CIA's program to get valuable information from detainees.

"I will resist any bill that does not enable this program to go forward - legal clarity. And there are all kinds of letters coming out, and by the way, active duty personnel in the Pentagon, the JAG, supported the concept I have outlined to you. This is an important program for the security of this country."

Meanwhile, Colin Powell, Bush's former secretary of state, declared his opposition to the president's proposal on the detainee legislation in an open letter, saying Bush's stand will add to the world's doubts on the US war on terror and put US troops at risk.

The committee's bill still faces a tough fight and it is unclear whether it would reach the Senate floor.