Friday, May 23, 2014

House Passes NDAA with amendments

House Passes NDAA; Critical Amendments Fail, Others Succeed


On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Of the 100 or so amendments that lawmakers attempted to add to the legislation, two — one approved and one rejected — went nearly unnoticed, despite their attempt to force the federal government to adhere to core constitutional principles.


First, there was the unsuccessful attempt by Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) to “eliminate indefinite detention in the United States and its territories.” The amendment benefited from bipartisan sponsorship (it was cosponsored by Georgia Republican Paul Broun) but was ultimately defeated by a vote of 191-230.


Ever since President Barack Obama signed the Fiscal Year 2012 version of the NDAA on December 31, 2011, the writ of habeas corpus — a civil right so fundamental to Anglo-American common law history that it predates the Magna Carta — is voidable upon the command of the president of the United States. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is also revocable at his will.


Read more:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/18328-house-passes-ndaa-critical-amendments-fail-others-succeed

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