NDAA FAQ: A Guide for the Perplexed

[ProSense]

18. No

"" The authorities granted by the AUMF, including the detention authority, are essential to our ability to protect the American people from the threat posed by al-Qa'ida and its associated forces"

Which explicitly says that the administration feels the AUMF is sufficient to grant them detention authority. "

...it doesn't say what your implying, which is, from your previous comment, that the "Obama Administrations have asserted the right to detain US citizens without trial under certain circumstances"

The administration did not do that. In fact, the rest of the statement clearly states their opposition to that.

As for the AUMF, yes it include a detention authority, but the reason this debate is ongoing is because some Senators (Graham and others) claim that the existing law grants that authority. Others disagree.

It's the ambiguity that prompted the call for definitive language.