Hastings' Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act Passes House

Press Release

Hastings' Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act Passes House

Last night, the House of Representatives passed H.R.2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 by a vote of 389-22. Included in H.R.2647 were two amendments introduced by Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar). Hastings' first amendment prohibits the recruitment, enlistment, and retention in the Armed Services of individuals affiliated with extremist groups. The second Hastings amendment authorizes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to have access to detainees held at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. (Please find attached copies of the amendments)

"Individuals serving in the military while adhering to the ideology of extremist groups are not only antithetical to the values and traditions of the United States Armed Forces, but they also pose a domestic security threat. The United States Government should not be providing the highest quality of military training in the world to individuals who hope to use that training in a ‘race war' or in an effort to overthrow the United States Government.

"The Armed Forces already have a great many regulations in place regarding the prohibition on extremist activities by military personnel. But the problem is that in many instances recruiters and commanding officers are looking the other way.

"The men and women of the United States military uphold our nation's highest ideals, fighting for freedom and human dignity in all corners of the world. Individuals who are dedicated to groups that espouse hatred and violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, class, or sexual orientation, have no place in this cherished American institution," said Hastings.

Responding to the passage of the second amendment to H.R.2647, Hastings noted, "It is the responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the ICRC has the statutory support necessary to carry out their mission.

"The best way to ensure this is to apply a process of transparency and accountability. I have always deeply respected the work of the ICRC. They approach their work with dedication, intelligence, compassion, and confidentiality and remain above the political fray to ensure that the United States Government upholds basic human rights. The ICRC's efforts in this regard are absolutely essential.

"While we continue to engage in combat we will continue to detain people. We must ensure that these persons are treated humanely and decently."

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