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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