Senate Passes National Defense Authorization Act; PA Sens. Have No Response on Indefinite Incarceration Provision
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We’ve been contacting both Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey all week to get the rationale behind their Tuesday votes in favor of Section 1031 of the National Defense Authorization Act. This section, according to some critics, essentially turns the entirety of the United States into part of the “battlefield” in the War on Terror and, therefore, permits the military to indefinitely detain any American perceived to be a threat. UPDATE: The provision was finally altered to exempt “American citizens.” According to Time, “Lengthy negotiations produced a face-saving move that the Senate backed 99-1, a measure that said nothing in the bill changes current law relating to the detention of U.S. citizens and legal aliens.” The Senate also blocked an amendment that would limit military custody to those terror suspects caught overseas, the goal of which was to make sure “the military won’t be roaming our streets looking for suspected terrorists.” But the fact remains: Section 1031 is still intact.
Two amendments — one by Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and the other by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) — were offered to amend this section further, though both failed with the help of Pennsylvania’s senators. The defense bill passed the Senate last night.
Neither Democratic Senator Bob Casey, nor Republican Senator Pat Toomey have responded to PW’s calls for comment on this issue. Neither have commented to other news sources or on their websites, either.
Casey’s office sent out a press release praising the passage of the bill, though did not mention his votes in favor of Section 1031. Instead, his office wrote of the amendments Pennsylvania’s Democrat added to the bill, such as “Hold Pakistan Accountable on IEDs,” “Strengthen the National Guard” and “Require Sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran.”
Before the final vote, Sen. Rand Paul claimed passage of the defense bill would result in, “American citizens being sent to Guantanamo Bay…This should be alarming to everyone watching this proceeding today. Because it puts every single American citizen at risk.”
Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) called the bill “one of the most anti-liberty pieces of legislation in our lifetime.” Amash was one of five Republicans to vote against the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Philadelphia Congressman Bob Brady voted for the bill.
One of the Senators enthusiastically in favor of the Provision to the bill is Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). She claimed the bill is needed because “America is part of the battlefield.” Ayotte is reportedly on a short list of Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney’s potential running mates.
The final Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed 93-7. In addition to voting against both amendments, the Pennsylvania Democrat and Republican Senators voted in favor of the final version of the bill.
The White House has stated it will veto the bill due to the provision, but not necessarily for the reasons most critics are concerned with. They instead believe that the bill takes power away from the president and hands it to the military: “Any bill that challenges or constrains the President’s critical authorities to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists, and protect the Nation would prompt the President’s senior advisers to recommend a veto.”
Not everyone believes President Obama will issue his promised veto. Daphne Eviator of the Human Rights First’s Law and Security Program says issuing a veto may be difficult.
“Whether he [Obama] will [veto the bill] is a difficult question because, politically, it’s difficult to veto a defense spending bill that’s 680 pages long and includes authorization to spend on a whole range of military programs,” she writes.
ACLU senior legislative counsel Christopher Anders said in a statement, “The bill is an historic threat to American citizens and others because it expands and makes permanent the authority of the president to order the military to imprison without charge or trial American citizens.”
Anders also noted that if this bill becomes law, American citizens and others are at risk of being locked away by the military without charge or trial.
It’s not “difficult” to veto a bill. He has so many choices. The special Presidential Waterman fountain pen that he keeps in the pocket of his custom Brooks Brothers suit will be easy enough to use.
This is extremely ridiculous! Is this really what our founding father’s wanted for this country? NO. The government has no constitutional rights to pass such a bill not only does it violate the 6th and 7th amendment but it also violates the 14th. What type of BS is this? The American government is truly abusing its powers with the passing of this bill. People in America need to be informed of this abomination of a bill passed by our government!
This bill is a disgrace to this country. I will not give up my liberties to allow the US government to use troops to arrest US Citizens and hold them without due process. Hopefully Obama will veto this bill and use that reason to explain his veto.
Any PA representatives that voted on this just lost my vote when they run for re-election. Do you hear that Toomey and Casey?
I believe this is being passed to protect the country from a potential uprising. They will use the US Military to arrest and hold any protesters against the the government and label them as terrorists.
Our government needs an enema.
Senator Paul is claiming the amendment to the NDAA that would have authorized indefinite detention for American citizens was defeated by a vote of 41-59. Who’s right?
[...] … Senate Passes Controversial Defense Bill The New AmericanUS citizens included in…Source Tags: national defense authorization [...]
@ James
Actually, he doesn’t need a pen. He just needs to send it back to the senate (a veto means *not* signing the bill into law)
Even if he does veto it, as he should, I’m worried that the senate will just turn around and override it (93-7 is definitely more than a two-thirds majority).
It’s begun.
@Chris This act is a definite solution to further uprising in America. Its only a matter of time before people start realizing the immoral actions conducted by our government.
@Dane President Obama has already signed the bill. However, even if this veto occurs it isn’t because this bill COMPLETELY VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION but according to the article ” They instead believe that the bill takes power away from the president and hands it to the military”. WTF. So the people in the white house are more worried about the president power than billions of American lives! This nation is so fucked up!
Can I please ask you all a favor? Stop saying there are billions of Americans. There are only 7 billion people on this planet. There are about 300+ MILLION American citizens, not billions.
While I’m here…while this might not be the beginning of the end or anything, it’s still troubling and needs to be vetoed. If Obama still has a single brain cell left in his head it needs to be stopped.
This reminds me of Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation to suspend the Writ of Habeus Corpus. Not one of his better moves…
Does history repeat itself?
This is madness. And of course most people don’t know or care since they think they still have the freedoms granted to them in the Constitution, that they will never be chipped away, blah blah blah. Wake up people. And to Jawn–no, it already began a while ago, with the Patriot Act. I’m not planning to remain in the US for longer than I have to anyway. This place is getting worse every day.
Veto the National Defense Authorization Act https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/veto-national-defense-authorization-act-2012-several-provisions-bill-pose-threat-civil-liberties/GLfhBn6D?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl
obama wrote the bill that congress passed and so
he obama will automatically sign the bill thus a law
what next …? Our guns ???
Good-bye America. It was nice knowing you.
[...] from Reid ABC News: ‘This Week’ Transcript: GOP Candidate Rick Santorum and Rep. Barney Frank Philly Weekly: Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act; PA sens. have no response on indefinite [...]
Veto, veto, veto!
…and how come no one is talking about the half a trillion in spending this bill has in it?
“Don’t look at the man behind the curtain”
[...] from Reid ABC News: ‘This Week’ Transcript: GOP Candidate Rick Santorum and Rep. Barney Frank Philly Weekly: Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act; PA sens. have no response on indefinite [...]
[...] from Reid ABC News: ‘This Week’ Transcript: GOP Candidate Rick Santorum and Rep. Barney Frank Philly Weekly: Senate passes National Defense Authorization Act; PA sens. have no response on indefinite [...]
What has me worried too, is that even if U.S.Citizens don’t have their rights stripped from them, can be shipped off U.S. soil and not be tried with access to an atourney and with jurors of peers… for things as rediculous as having more than 7 days worth of food… Even if it all fails with the veto… what has me worried is that many in our government TRIED to get it passed… Knowing now that that seems to be the mind set of a good portion of our Senate, how do we proceed with a Vote of No Confidence on the entire Senate?
Like a murderer trying to shoot you, but he missed… he got caught… are we going to look the other way and carry on without addressing just what happened?
this is like that communist search group that was assembled during the cold war. The group was meant to hunt down any suspects to the communist party. However, the group was disbanded after what happened to many of the U.S. civilians that were mistreated. This fear back in the 1960s over communism is no different than the fear we see right now over terrorism.
Fear is what drives us to do rational things to others. The reason not many people are aware of this act is because they find it better to proceed on with their lives not knowing whats going on. As much as I like to do the same however, after hearing about this, from a freind, its kind of hard to do. You can’t expect people to believe in the government , if the government does not believe in the people. Its like a relationship gone wrong, once you stop believe in the other lover, love soon begins to fade away between the two. Believing mutually with something or someone, is the hardest thing to do, because everyone in this country makes it hard for themselves to do so.
“The people and the government support both halves of a house. If one side falls the other will join as well.”
This give me more of a reason to buy more guns before they make them illegal. I’m gonna stock up on ammo also…If they wanna start this shit, then it gonna get ugly.
Congress is not getting the message that the American people will not stand for these constitutional abuses. Fight for the Bill of Rights and sign this petition against the NDAA: http://bordc.org/ndaa/
This is about as outrages as it gets. Our leaders who are pen heads to begin with do NOT have a clue about our founding forefather written word of the constitution as it stands. What makes any of us think
they can read the constitution never mind the 2000 + plus Health Care bill. They could care less. Or is
congress so mindless and untruthful to the American public who is not blind to their words or the law
they try to impose upon us.
Remember the Revolution that brought about change in England was the reasons our forefathers came over and created this great country of ours. They no longer wanted to be the oppressed folks trying to survive.
Yes, I agree terrorists should be handled swifly and carefully. But when Terrorists are US citizens that on it own is a betrayal. It’s called treason. Remember when we are at War, there is no trial and a person can be shot just for committing this crime.
So I will ask the US government that they tread very lightly on waters as who the real terrorists are and defined them. That is what been so hard to do for congress and the military. Who is the terrorists?
Are they trying to protect themselves to do more evil to this country.
All this can be a bit tricky depending on which side the fence your playing on.
1. US Citizen – NON Terrorists – Should government have to prove he/she is one? They Better!!!
2. US Citizen – Terrorists – Should be proven without a doubt? Then Shot
Now look from the Terrorists point of view?
1. Terrorists – Becomes US Citizen – thinking he is protected under our laws – Is he or isn’t he?
2. Terrorists – Legal Allien – To me no question – Throw away the key – He/she tried and lied to be faithful to our country.
The government says there is still Terrorists sleeper cells in this country. I think we need to be mindful
of what’s to come.
Everyday average American should have nothing to worry but who knows the US Government and Military are just human beings like us we hope. That they have compassion to those who are faithful to this country. All I say god help the US Government and Miltary should they be WRONG!!
For the Terrorists – They should be hunted down and put away. May God have mercy on your soul.
Can we please have a confirmation to: “UPDATE: The provision was finally altered to exempt “American citizens.” According to Time, “Lengthy negotiations produced a face-saving move that the Senate backed 99-1, a measure that said nothing in the bill changes current law relating to the detention of U.S. citizens and legal aliens” I belong to Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Albany and there is a lot of confusion on weather or not they can detain US Citizens on US soil according to this bill. I am trying to keep it straight for the people, but can’t find any info, just people re-posting things in a circle. Please confirm, or deny and if possible – give sources to your date. Thank you very, very much! Olga.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/199150136836306/?notif_t=group_activity
Join the facebook group!!
What you are seeing is the conspiracy “theories” starting to become reality. If you think you’d go to Guantanamo you are sadly mistaken. They have hundred of FEMA CAMPS that were originally detention centers for Japanese citizens during WW2. They have been rebuilding all these centers and added some over the past 60 years and not many people know this until you look into the bills past presidents have passed. Hitler did 3 things before he took power. He took away citizens gun rights, he bought up large corporations, and then had numbers issued to identify a particular sect of people(jews). There is so much that is going on that scares me and the fact that they can detain anyone for any reason sounds like there is a reason for these fully staffed but empty FEMA camps around the US
The one thing people don’t know that written in our constitution is a portion that if we the people(not any branch or government officials) were to vote 3/4’s that we are allowed to force our government to resign their positions and we the people reinstate a new government. It was kinda like a clause in a contract to keep the citizens protected from having to be treated the way they were by King Richard when they ran to America in the first place. God bless freedom and God help America’s people as well as leaders to open their eyes
I have had a strong instinct to avoid visiting the USA for a long time. This makes it impossible. I enjoy my liberty freedom and love the American people, but my goodness, knowing what I know about law and grace, fear and freedom, national paranoia and reality, the USA is now one of the most dangerous places on earth for me. Isn’t this incredible! Bye, bye, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Superman, The Frontier Doctor; you all seemed so good when I was a child. Yes. That’s right. You are all dead, aren’t you? At least I can now pray sincerely, “God bless America.” This is new for me. You need it now…
The Greenwald piece in Salon out today clears up some of these myths, namely:
Myth # 1: This bill does not codify indefinite detention
Myth #2: The bill does not expand the scope of the War on Terror as defined by the 2001 AUMF
Myth #3: U.S. citizens are exempted from this new bill
http://www.salon.com/2011/12/16/three_myths_about_the_detention_bill/singleton/
Basically, the bill is what you fear it might be. You’ll have to read closely to understand exactly how though. It’s worth it.
@salty
I wouldn’t by to much ammo if I were you.
one of the biggest problems is that the definition for terrorist is so vague and is different in every state. For example having large stores of food could put you on the terrorist list. Owning to much ammo could also label you as a terrorist, so buying ammo just in case could land you in prison.
If you want answers, you will KNOCK at the Federal Reserve Bank’s door and demand that those crooks be arrested, or taken away from their reign of POWER. Its your RIGHT! Because those who are completely awake to these EVILS. Understand that the Presidency, Secretary of Defense, Head of CIA, you name it, are just CEREMONIAL POSITIONS!!!!!!! The REAL PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE for this now, WORLD TYRANNY!! ARE NONE OTHER THAN THE ONE WORLD EUGENIC CORPORATE GOVERNMENT.. They operate in the general eye now, SOMEONE NEEDS to have a talk with these guys and put a stop to their agenda, because weir a generation and a half into it!!!! OCCUPY!!!!!!!
haah… hilarious..
[...] Friendly Universe – Law of Attraction in Action The Real Tragedy Of 9/11 Is What We Have All Lost by Jerry Waxman A Personal Reflection: Cliff Robe…ied a couple days ago. While he gave great performances in a variety of movies, the one that stands [...]
Dear frends,
I strongly believe you should join Romania, Russia and China, before your own Government kills you all.
Check this out: http://www.scribd.com/roninjaune
NOT EVERY CONSPIRACY IS A THEORY… AS A MATTER OF FACT THE WORST IS YET TO COME…
[...] are supporting equal rights for all our citizens and the ACLU is fighting against SOPA and the indefinite incarceration clause of the National Defense Authorization Act, in which case I take their side. Both laws violate parts of our Constitution. Weren’t go [...]