While the nation was fixated on Trump’s MAGA (Masks Are Great Again) circus at the White House yesterday, Republicans in the House joined Democrats to pass a new defense spending bill for FY 2021 that includes a red flag law.
Named in honor of Rep. “Mac” Thornberry (R-TX), the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.6395) passed overwhelmingly 295-125 thanks to the strong support of nearly 60 percent of the Republican Party (108 yea/81 nay).
In a press release, Rep. Thornberry — 42% (F) Liberty Score® — gladly accepted the accolades of his fellow House members and called it an “honor” to have his name attached to the 60th consecutive NDAA passed in Congress (a record). Calling it “a source of pride,” the Texas representative held it up as evidence that Republicans and Democrats can “work together” to put “our military first and politics second.”
“I am grateful to Chairman Smith and my colleagues for naming this year’s bill in my honor, and I am deeply humbled. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the staff of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) for their tireless work on this legislation and for their continued dedication.
“It is a source of pride to me that this Committee puts our military first and politics second, decade after decade. It is a testament to what can be done when we work together, and it is what we must do to adequately provide for our troops and to honor their service and sacrifice.”
Noticeably absent in Thornberry’s statement was any mention of the punch-list of Democrat priorities included in the bill that have nothing to do with supporting the military — items Pelosi and the rest of the Democrat leadership required be included, and were signed-off on by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and the rest of the Republican leadership.
From student loan cash of up to $10,000 to the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act, the 1400-plus page bill is loaded with vote-buying cash for special interest groups. And while picking our pockets to pay for Washington’s big-government progressive policies is disgusting enough on its own, the legislation’s assault on liberty is what we need to be concerned about.
Pelosi, McCarthy, and the rest of the Democrat/Republican duopoly have made their war against the Second Amendment a part of the NDAA.
As Gun Owners of America explains, Section 542 of the military spending bill contains a military version of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (aka red flag law or ERPOs), a provision that authorizes the unannounced raid of the home of any individual subject to the Uniform Code of Military Conduct to seize their gun(s) using an order issued by a secret ex parte “court” after an aggrieved friend or relative makes an allegation that the serviceman or servicewoman is “abusive.”
The gun owner won’t receive prior notice nor be given an opportunity to give his/her side of the story prior to having his/her guns seized. Law enforcement will have the full authority to seize all firearms by force if necessary. No warrant. No arrest. No charges.
These “emergency” Military Court Gun Confiscation Orders (GCOs) are also explicitly exempt from the “Protection of Due Process” provision included in Section 542(g)(1) of the bill, so the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure will also be disregarded.
By the way, if the House defense bill (NDAA) passes in the Senate as expected, Trump said he will veto it. Not because it violates the Constitution, but because he doesn’t want to change the Confederate names of military bases.
Priorities, right?
David Leach is the owner of the Strident Conservative. He holds people of every political stripe accountable for their failure to uphold conservative values, and he promotes those values instead of political parties.
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