Categories
Uncategorized

Senate votes to allow police to buy surplus military equipment with minor restrictions

The Senate Tuesday voted to allow federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement departments to continue to be allowed to purchase surplus military equipment and weapons, putting few regulations in place restricting such transactions, Roll Call reports.

Two competing amendments made it to the floor for votes, with the Senate choosing to pass the one that only required training and education programs in place, without restricting the types of materiel available to police departments.

The issue of the militarization of the police has been in the public eye recently as police–wearing paramilitary garb and in some cities, using military-style vehicles–used force to break up demonstrations about police violence and its excess use of force.

The approved amendment, passed with a 90-10 vote, requires departments and agencies receiving the excess military gear to train their officers to “respect for the rights of citizens under the Constitution of the United States and de-escalation of force.”

Sponsored by Oklahoma republican James Inhofe, the bill also bans the sale of bayonets, grenades other than stun and flash-bang grenades, weaponized tracked combat vehicles and weaponized drones to outside groups.

The other bill, sponsored by Hawaii Democrat Brian Schatz, won a majority of Senate votes in a 51-49, but did not hit the minimum 60 votes needed for passage.

Schatz’s bill incorporated all the facets of Inhofe’s bill, but also banned the sale of tear gas, grenade launchers, firearms of .50 caliber or higher and ammunition of .50 caliber or higher.

Schatz’s bill also would have barred a department which was found to have violated civilians’ First Amendment rights from buying surplus equipment for five years.

The Inhofe amendment will become part of the defense authorization bill once reconciled with the House version in conference committee.  The bill, vital to the ongoing operation of the US military, faces a potential veto from President Trump if it contains a provision to rename military assets, like bases, that bear the names of Confederate leaders.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

WATCH LIVE: Walking healthcare crisis makes noises about access

57 minutes ago

CDC confirms American in Congo tests positive for Ebola

1 hour ago

Trump announces he takes orders from foreign man in frilly dress

3 hours ago

Benny Johnson already researching Simi Valley FD’s DEI policies

3 hours ago

Minnesota DA charges ICE agent over migrant shooting

3 hours ago

Regime confirms $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization” slush fund

6 hours ago

President airs frustrations with media coverage of Iran policy

7 hours ago

Newsmax reports Trump team worried boss emboldened Xi

8 hours ago

Dems 50 – GOP 39 on generic congressional ballot: NYT/Siena poll

10 hours ago

Tornado and wildfire threat to peak in central US on Monday

12 hours ago

“That’s his Churchill moment”

1 day ago

Trump approval now down to 37 percent in CBS News/YouGov poll

1 day ago

Bill Cassidy primaried out of Senate

2 days ago

Orange Allah turns on High School Dropout

2 days ago

Caucasian entitlement claims life of Maldivian military diver

2 days ago

Faustian bargain about to end predictably

2 days ago

“Fuck you MAGA voters, I got mine”: Trump, basically

3 days ago

Supreme Court rejects Virginia Dems’ redistricting petition

3 days ago

Colorado Gov Jared “Pussy” Polis to free Tina Peters

3 days ago

Iranians finding other ways to screw with US gasoline supplies

3 days ago

Florida historic Black cemetery hit with Trump, DeSantis graffiti

3 days ago

Fox News reports Markwayne Mullin’s cosplay game lacking

3 days ago

Tennessee Dem Steve Cohen drops reelection bid

3 days ago

Hantavirus presser led by far right Alabaman penile implant expert

3 days ago

RNC sketches plausible ID scenario for “election integrity” case

3 days ago

Chris Wright fucks up and says “Gulf of Mexico” on CNBC

3 days ago

Regime moving to indict Raul Castro

3 days ago

House voting on war powers act: Watch Live

4 days ago

Retail sales up in April because shit costs more than it used to

4 days ago

Canadian man killed by bear at uranium mining site

4 days ago

Jaydee adresses room full of caucasians

4 days ago

Border Patrol chief abruptly quits

4 days ago

Vessel off UAE possibly seized by Iranians

4 days ago

Fanboy pleads with voters to “take their medicine” on gas prices

4 days ago

T1 Phone allegedly shipping to customers

4 days ago

Starmer Labour rival makes first move to challenge UK PM

4 days ago

Orange Chicken in China: Watch Live

5 days ago

WATCH LIVE: Jaydee lies to reporters

5 days ago

Rand Paul’s son drunkenly accuses Mike Lawler of being Jewish

5 days ago

Alex Murdaugh’s convictions overturned

5 days ago

WATCH LIVE: Jesus Dork and pals hold presser

5 days ago

Tennessee House Speaker removes Dems from every committee

5 days ago

When Fox News is forced to acknowledge grocery prices…

5 days ago

John Solomon threatens Americans with a good time in 2029

5 days ago

Nebraska primary: Dem sandbagger defeats MAGA sandbagger

6 days ago

WATCH LIVE: Orange Slob high-tails it to China

6 days ago

DCCC not letting up on Jen Kiggans for “cotton-picking” comment

6 days ago

Your tax dollars paid for this butthurt reply

1 week ago

Cory Mills probe heats up

1 week ago

Jaydee headed to Maine amid concerns for Concern Lady

1 week ago

x
x
x
x
x
x