Amendment would end indefinite detentions of U.S. terrorists

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Wednesday pushed his amendment that would eliminate the indefinite military detention of any terrorists captured in the U.S. or its territories.

A vote will come Thursday morning.

{mosads}Smith’s proposal would apply to individuals detained under an authorization for use of military force (AUMF). The Washington Democrat, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that current indefinite military detentions were unconstitutional.

” It is not necessary,” Smith said. “It is an enormous amount of power to grant the executive and I believe places liberty and freedom at risk in this country.”

But House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said that it was necessary to maintain the authority for indefinite detentions of terrorists in order to protect Americans.

“It’s false to imply that this is not the case or something not in line with our values,” McKeon said. “We must oppose this amendment and preserve every lawful right in our arsenal.”