Conference Report on H.R. 1540, National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LANDRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to fulfill my constitutional duty of ensuring that the liberties and freedoms are protected of the men and women that this bill authorizes to fight for. The protections bestowed on U.S. citizens are the ones that I am concerned with the most.

The question now upon us is whether or not the NDAA impacts the rights of a U.S. citizen to receive due process to challenge the legality of detention by the executive before an article III court.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LANDRY. My concern is that when the writ is suspended, the government is entirely free of judicial oversight.

So do we agree that no section of the NDAA purports to suspend the writ of habeas corpus?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LANDRY. Do you agree that, as the Supreme Court has held, ``a state of war is not a blank check for the President when it comes to the rights of our citizens''?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LANDRY. Will the chairman assure me that together we will work with the committee to further clarify the language contained in this bill in order to ensure that the clear and precise language which protects the constitutional rights of American citizens is protected?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source