MEDIA RELEASE

Bob Marx, Democratic candidate for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District said he staunchly opposes to H.R. 1540/ S.1867, entitled “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.”

Marx said if President Barack Obama signed the bill, it would be a black mark against American civil liberties and America’s rule of law.

“Hidden within this defense spending bill for the next fiscal year are some alarming clauses that directly attack the Constitutional freedoms of all Americans,” Marx said.

“There is a reason that the Constitution instilled a system of checks and balances to ensure that all areas of our government, including the Executive Branch, are held accountable and are regulated by Congress and the Judiciary. This bill would allow, at the President’s discretion, for US citizens suspected of participation in or ties to terrorist activities to be imprisoned indefinitely by the US Armed Forces. This clearly violates the right to Due Process under the 14th Amendment, especially since it does not expressly apply to suspects or detainees of war,” Marx said.

“Anyone ‘suspected’ of being a terrorist can be subject to detainment and fail to be provided with legal counsel and the due process laws of our country,” he said.

The bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and received bi-partisan support. Marx referred to Sections 1021 and 1022, which are the subject of much controversy and has prompted the White House to issue a veto threat.

Marx added U.S. citizens are not exempt or ‘safe’ from being detained without cause for any period of time.

“There are no terrorists roaming our streets. There is no implementation of Martial Law, nor is there any citizen group calling for our government to eliminate legal safeguards because of a breakdown of order,” he said. “Citizens must phone or e-mail the White House and urge that this bill be vetoed.”