“Constitutional rights” has been the rallying cry for voters on the right for some time, particularly after a mass shooting that leaves dozens or more dead and they begin to fear that tighter restrictions are going to be put into place.
If a peaceful gathering of gun owners had been tear-gassed and their guns taken on President Obama’s orders because some gun owners have killed many people, the right would be going into apoplexy. But the right for the left to peacefully assemble and protest was taken in just that way on Sunday and Republicans have remained silent on the issue.
JUST IN: Sen. Tim Kaine says he’ll offer an amendment to NDAA to bar the use of military force against Americans.
— Connor O'Brien (@connorobrienNH) June 2, 2020
The sight of peaceful protesters gathered in front of the White House to protests police brutality being charged and attacked by members of the U.S. military, however, was entirely too much for some more constitutionally-minded members of Congress. Sen. Tim Kaine, former running mate for Hillary Clinton in 2016, is set to introduce the NDAA, an amendment to an existing bill that would prevent the use of military force against American people.
According to WKZO:
‘Senator Tim Kaine said he would introduce an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, a massive bill setting policy for the Pentagon, which the Senate will be considering over the coming weeks.’
The American military must never again be used as the President’s personal palace guard against peaceful protesters. https://t.co/faQA2GWBbZ
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) June 2, 2020
Kaine, asked about the bill’s amendment, responded by saying what every sane and decent American was already thinking after the gruesome scene on Sunday.
‘I never thought we would have to use the NDAA to make clear that the U.S. military shouldn’t be used as an agent of force against American citizens who are lawfully assembling.’.
Next week the Armed Services Committee will debate the NDAA—which determines how the DoD can spend its money. I will introduce an amendment to prevent any DoD funding from being used for force against American citizens exercising their first amendment rights.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) June 2, 2020
The amendment calls on the power of Congress to “control the purse strings,” or decide where federal money is spent. In particular, this amendment is attached to a bill relating to expenditures by the Pentagon.
‘The NDAA, which determines how the Pentagon spends its money – this year $730 billion – is one of the few pieces of major legislation that passes every year. The bill governs everything from soldiers’ pay rates to how many fighter jets are bought to which bases are closed.’
BREAKING: Sen. Tim Kaine is planning to put an amendment in the annual defense bill that will block President Trump from deploying the military against protesters.
— PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) June 2, 2020
The bill is expected to pass, although the fate of Kaine’s amendment in a Republican-controlled Congress is anyone’s guess. However, this is definitely a bill that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will not be able to leave untouched on his desk.
‘Since it is seen as “must-pass” legislation, members of Congress also typically use the NDAA as a vehicle for a wide range of policy matters. For example, this year’s bill is expected to address the novel coronavirus crisis and dealings with China.’
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
