Posted on 06/28/2014 5:43:39 AM PDT by markomalley
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) introduced the Regulatory Agency De-militarization (RAD) Act, which stems the trend of federal regulatory agencies developing SWAT-like teams.
In recent years, numerous federal regulatory agencies – including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Agency and the Department of Education – have created their own special law enforcement teams to conduct their own arrests and raids. This is in part a product of the 2002 Homeland Security Act, which gave most Offices of Inspector General arrest and firearm authority.
"It's disturbing to see the stories of federal regulators armed to the teeth and breaking into homes and businesses when there was no reason to think there would be resistance," Stewart said.
“I understand that federal agents must be capable of protecting themselves. But what we have observed goes far beyond providing necessary protection. When there are genuinely dangerous situations involving federal law, that’s the job of the Department of Justice, not regulatory agencies like the FDA or the Department of Education. Not only is it overkill, but having these highly-armed units within dozens of agencies is duplicative, costly, heavy handed, dangerous and destroys any sense of trust between citizens and the federal government.”
The RAD Act has three pieces:
1. Repeals the arrest and firearm authority granted to Offices of Inspectors General in the 2002 Homeland Security Act.
2. Prohibits federal agencies, other than those traditionally tasked with enforcing federal law—such as the FBI and U.S. Marshals, from purchasing machine guns, grenades, and other weaponry regulated under the National Firearms Act.
3. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to write a complete report detailing all federal agencies, including Offices of Inspectors General, with specialized units that receive special tactical or military-style training and that respond to high-risk situations that fall outside the capabilities of regular law enforcement officers.
“The militarization of agencies is only a symptom of a much deeper and more troubling problem within Washington – that the federal government no longer trusts the American people,” Stewart said. “When all of us feel that we are no longer seen as citizens but as potential dangerous suspects – a relationship of trust is impossible. I’m working to restore and rebuild trust – beginning with this effort to defund paramilitary capabilities within federal regulatory agencies.”
Specific examples of the militarization of federal regulatory agencies include:
For the full text of the bill, click here.
Original Co-sponsors of the bill include: Representatives Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.).
Great bill, but who will pass and sign it?
If the non LEO Federal agencies were totally disarmed, they would far less prone to abusing citizen rights.
/johnny
About time ! But the zero will veto it .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt7__VyAI28
Yes, a good move - one of hundreds, no, thousands that need to be made.
But they all will have to wait until the Repubs have all 3 houses. Nothing’s going anywhere until then.
And if we get all 3 - watch. The Repubs will forget why they were given power and blow it and do nothing.......sorry for being so cynical......
Just like the IRS. Gubbamint will never abolish the IRS even when offered many taxing alternatives that would dramatically reduce the size of the IRS...why?
It is governments strong arm against the American people. It is up to the American people to begin flooding the halls of these agencies and demanding the restoration of liberty and demanding abolition of the EPA, IRS, DHS, TSA and the like.
I don’t want to see federal agents disarmed, I want to see them operating under exactly the same laws as other civilians.
In other words, if they want to carry, they should get a carry permit and operate under its limitations.
It’s about time, but as others have commented, it will probably not go anywhere.
While I’m NOT holding my breath, we may be seeing an outbreak of TESTICLE GROWTH in DC.
And to answer the question will obozo sign it, the HOUSE STILL HOLDS THE PURSE STRINGS. We’re FINALLY hearing talk about SHUTTING OFF THE FRAUDS (Federal Reserve Accounting Unit Denominators erroneously called “dollars”) to agencies — INCLUDING DOJ — that refuse to follow the laws!!!
And it’s ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!!!
One of these days people will vehemently object. More and more. Not everyone is a steeple.
Of course it won’t go anywhere. Ever since the Patriot Act EVERYTHING has been militarized in the U.S. The local police think they need SWAT for a traffic ticket.
Quite frankly, I think military service should disqualify you from the police force. We have seen a HUGE influx of our returning Vets becoming cops. It is a completely different job. It would be like me being a Sports Agent instead of a Prosecutor and vice versa. We’ve both had similar training but are completely wrong for the others job.
“Law and order” my a**.
Just repeal 18 USC 922 (o) so we can play with all the toys the .govs gets to play with.
Bookmark
Thanks for posting the video.
Oh heck yes! I have a new favorite congressman and his co-sponsoring peers!
Original Co-sponsors of the bill include: Representatives Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich), Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.).
Wait... are they saying the IRS IG DOES have authority to make arrests?
Like in the email scandal?
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