Sen. Paul filibusters defense bill

**Deleterious** · 11-16-2012, 01:09 PM

Sen. Paul filibusters defense bill - The Hill's Floor Action

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is holding up a vote on the Defense Authorization Act until he gets a vote on his amendment affirming the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution and the indefinite detention of Americans.

Paul is seeking an agreement in principle to get a vote on his amendment when the Senate takes up the defense authorization bill that funds and sets the agenda for the U.S. military.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had said at the beginning of the week that he wished to move onto consideration of the Defense Authorization Act, S. 3254, before leaving for Thanksgiving break Thursday night.
“[Republicans] say they want to move to the defense authorization bill, so I said yesterday, fine, let’s move to it,” Reid said on the floor Thursday. “But my friends can’t take ‘yes’ for an answer.

“[Democrats are] not the cause for why the defense authorization bill is not being brought to the floor.”

Reid agreed to allow an open amendment process on the defense bill because he said Senate Armed Service Committee leaders, Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), agreed to wade through and table all the non-germane amendments offered.

Paul’s amendment would give American citizens being held by the military rights to a fair trial with a jury of peers and the right to confront the witnesses against him or her.

“A citizen of the United States who is captured or arrested in the United States and detained by the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40) shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense,” the amendment states.

Reid said he hoped Republicans resolve the issue so the Senate can proceed to the Defense Authorization Act when it resumes work on Monday, Nov. 26.

The whole family is nothing but trouble makers.

**ballmich** · 11-16-2012, 01:21 PM

I have a lot of issues with Rand Paul, but the guy does a lot of good for us all.

**pfife** · 11-16-2012, 01:23 PM

So is he actually talking endlessly?

Good for him.

**Deleterious** · 11-16-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by pfife

So is he actually talking endlessly?

Good for him.

No, at least I don't think so. I just checked all the C-SPAN channels and they aren't showing it. I assume they would if he was up there babbling on.

My guess is they are at a point where amendments can still be introduced. So Paul introduces this one knowing it doesn't have the votes to pass. But also knowing Reid wont bring it to a vote because people will look bad for voting it down.

I really should read up on this kind of thing.

**sinister porpoise** · 11-16-2012, 01:34 PM

I believe Americans already have these rights.

**ewsieg** · 11-16-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by sinister porpoise

I believe Americans already have these rights.

I was actually just thinking that. Can you make a law that is already on the books? Still, going with Deleterous thoughts, even saying it's a law already and trying to put Paul aside will just raise the question of, if it is law, why isn't that what is going on in examples x, y, and z?

**Mr.TaterSalad** · 11-16-2012, 09:42 PM

At least someone had the courage to stand against this Big Brother bill. Anyone, right, left or center should be appalled by some of the provisions in the NDAA. Screw the Consitutions, basic rights of man are being violated by the NDAA. In a crowd full of cowards and snakes Rand Paul is yet another half-honest man, putting all politics aside. This is a very important filibuster and Paul is doing it for all of us with and for that he should get everyone's gratitude!

**Blue Square Thing** · 11-17-2012, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mr.TaterSalad

At least someone had the courage to stand against this Big Brother bill. Anyone, right, left or center should be appalled by some of the provisions in the NDAA. Screw the Consitutions, basic rights of man are being violated by the NDAA. In a crowd full of cowards and snakes Rand Paul is yet another half-honest man, putting all politics aside. This is a very important filibuster and Paul is doing it for all of us with and for that he should get everyone's gratitude!

Why did he vote for AUMF in 2001 then?

**Melody** · 11-17-2012, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Blue Square Thing

Why did he vote for AUMF in 2001 then?

Rand Paul? He wasn't elected to congress until 2010.

**Blue Square Thing** · 11-17-2012, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Melody

Rand Paul? He wasn't elected to congress until 2010.

Ah, I assumed it was Ron - didn't read closely enough.

**sinister porpoise** · 11-18-2012, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mr.TaterSalad

At least someone had the courage to stand against this Big Brother bill. Anyone, right, left or center should be appalled by some of the provisions in the NDAA. Screw the Consitutions, basic rights of man are being violated by the NDAA. In a crowd full of cowards and snakes Rand Paul is yet another half-honest man, putting all politics aside. This is a very important filibuster and Paul is doing it for all of us with and for that he should get everyone's gratitude!

The language of Rand Paul's amendment begins "A citizen of the United States who is captured or arrested in the United States[...]"

then a list of rights already preserved for Americans captured/arrested in America. AFAIK this is a publicity stunt. If he wanted to change things lobby for all these rights to be given to Americans arrested abroad.