The Nays: Someone has to post this list, before posting becomes an act of terrorism

[cyberspirit]

17. Neither the Senate bill nor the conference report establishes new authority to detain Amer. citizens

Those who say that we have written into law a new authority to detain American citizens until the end of hostilities are wrong. Neither the Senate bill nor the conference report establishes new authority to detain American citizens – or anybody else.

Sen. Levin Statement on Passage of Defense Authorization Bill

Thursday, December 15, 2011

WASHINGTON – Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., today hailed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2012 fiscal year. The Senate approved the bill by a vote 86-13, and the president has announced that he will sign the bill into law.

“The enactment of this conference report will improve the quality of life of our men and women in uniform,” Levin said. “It will give them the tools that they need to remain the most effective fighting force in the world. Most important of all, it will send an important message that we, as a nation, stand behind them and deeply appreciate their service.

Levin continued: “Probably the most discussed provision in the conference report is the provision relative to military detention for foreign al Qaeda terrorists. This provision has been written to be doubly sure that there is no interference with civilian interrogations and other law enforcement activities and to ensure that the President has the flexibility he needs to use the most appropriate tools in each case. Those who say that we have written into law a new authority to detain American citizens until the end of hostilities are wrong. Neither the Senate bill nor the conference report establishes new authority to detain American citizens – or anybody else.

“The bill includes important new sanctions against the financial sector of Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, that will increase pressure on Iran to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons. It includes provisions addressing the problem of counterfeit parts that can undermine the performance of military weapon systems and endanger our men and women in uniform. And it extends the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program for an additional six years, continuing a program vital to our small businesses and to national security.”