On Wednesday, Congressman Matt Salmon, joined by Congressman Trey Radel, Congressman Justin Amash, and Congressman Thomas Massie, introduced two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The first amendment prohibits the federal government from using lethal military force, specifically the use of unmanned aircrafts, on American citizens on American soil.
The second NDAA amendment from the group requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress an annual report on US citizens subject to military detention. The report will include their names, the legal justification for their detention and the steps being taken to provide each with due process of law. This amendment holds the executive branch accountable by shining light into the military detention process.
“The government should be a vigilant defender of our civil liberties,” said Rep. Radel. “These amendments add yet another layer of protection to the rights of American citizens, granting them the due process they deserve when it comes to the use lethal military force and military detentions.”
“The Constitution protects Americans from being killed or imprisoned by their own government without due process,” said Rep. Amash. “Our amendments ensure that Americans do not have to fear that lethal military force will be used against them here in the United States and that Members of Congress and the public will know when the President is using the unconstitutional authority provided in the 2012 NDAA to indefinitely detain Americans without charge or trial.”
“The NDAA is another example of legislation that Congress continues to pass without regard for our Constitution,” said Rep. Massie. “These amendments ensure our Fifth Amendment rights are observed, and I look forward to working with Rep. Radel, Rep. Amash, and Rep. Salmon to protect Americans’ civil liberties.”
“Protecting U.S. civil liberties and our constitutional right to due process is not up for debate,” said Rep. Salmon. “That’s why it is important to clarify our laws and ensure these protections for U.S. citizens are never infringed upon.”