Press Releases

  Representative Gosar Votes to Protect Constitutional Rights

Urges Congress to address indefinite detention before taking up next year’s defense bill

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar (R - AZ) released the following statement after voting against the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report (H.R. 4310) due to unconstitutional indefinite detention language:

“It’s as if members of the D.C. establishment never learn.  Last year there was a national outcry against the indefinite detention language included in the NDAA bill. Imagine my dismay when I discovered that the final version of the annual defense bill failed to include language which would have protected American citizens against indefinite detention.  War or no war, I will not vote to curb the constitutional liberties of Arizonans or any other American citizen.”

“National security is the primary constitutional duty of the federal government, and the annual defense authorization bill is the principal avenue by which Congress provides for the common defense.  The national defense funding bill is not a place to stuff language which would take away or call into question constitutional rights.  It is unfortunate I must oppose this bill because of this unconstitutional detainee policy. I urge my colleagues to address this important issue before Congress begins work on next year’s NDAA.”

Last year, Congressman Gosar also opposed the annual defense bill because of unconstitutional language in the bill pertaining to indefinite detention.  Last year’s statement can be found here. 

      

War or no war, I will not vote to curb the constitutional liberties of Arizonans or any other American citizen.

                                                                      

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