The Facts: H.R. 1540 - The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

First Congressional District Arkansas - Representative Rick Crawford: My office has heard many concerns about H.R. 1540, the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Since the bill is garnering so much attention I wanted to address some of the misinformation that is spreading with the following facts:

• H.R. 1540 authorizes funds for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2012
• Concerns have surfaced that the NDAA authorizes government officials to hold American citizens suspected of aiding Al Qaeda in military custody indefinitely. This is simply not true, H.R. 1540 specifically states that United States Citizens cannot be detained. In fact, Page 657, Sect. 1022 (b)(1) of the bill says:“APPLICABILITY TO UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND LAWFUL RESIDENT ALIENS. — (1) UNITED STATES CITIZENS. — The requirement to detain a person
  in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of
  the United States.”
  H.R. 1540 can be accessed Here
• H.R. 1540 does not give the President that authority to override the exemption of U.S. citizens from detention.
• H.R. 1540 strengthens existing laws that allow the federal government to indefinitely hold in military custody foreign nationals associated with Al Qaeda who have participated in planning or carrying out an attack against the United States.

Once again, under no circumstances does this legislation permit the indefinite detention of American citizens.

I hope this information will help clear up any concerns you might have about H.R. 1540, the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

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Rep. Rick Crawford serves the 1st District of Arkansas. | Congressional Website

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