Following what critics have called a secretive New Years Eve signing by President Obama, controversy has swirled, with little national attention, regarding the
National Defense Authorization Act and the impact that changes made to the approved federal legislation could have on the civil liberties of the nation's citizens.
Among those who have voiced concern is United States Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas(Play Audio :12 seconds)
Voting initially for the legislation, Moran then supported an amendment, that did not pass, to remove the most controversial wording, specifically the potential detainment of American citizens, prior to final approval(Play Audio :16 seconds)
The wording remains, and Moran, attending the funeral of slain Atchison Police Sergeant David Enzbrenner, did not vote on the final outcome in December.
Moran takes seriously the concerns of critics, including Kentucky Senator Rand Paul-known as the most conservative member of the senate-and the American Civil Liberties Union. They claim the wording could lead to the indefinite detention of American Citizens, without Constitutional protections, with the broad wording leading to such action simply due to the voicing of opposition to the federal government.
Moran says he shares concerns that the wording of the legislation, which became law with the stroke of the President's pen, could be used in such a manner(Play Audio :19 seconds)
Moran is continuing to work towards changing the legal wording.
In an email, he explains that he is a sponsor of the Due Process Guarantee Act, a bill that makes clear that no U.S. Citizen can be detained without being charged, and receiving a trial, as specified in the United States Bill of Rights.
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