Mike Levin: “In the second amendment, we have an alternative because now it would provide the assurance that we are not adversely…”

“In the second amendment, we have an alternative because now it would provide the assurance that we are not adversely affecting the rights of the U.S. citizens in this language. Senator McCain, Senator Graham, and I have argued on this floor that there is nothing in our bill--nothing which changes the rights of the U.S. citizens. There was no intent to do it, and we did not do it. What the second Feinstein amendment provides is that nothing in this section of our bill shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of the U.S. citizens or lawful resident aliens of the United States or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States. It makes clear what we have been saying this language already does, which is that it does not affect existing law relative to the right of the executive branch to capture and detain a citizen. If that law is there allowing it, it remains. If, as some argue, the law does not allow that, then it continues that way. We think the law is clear in Hamdi that there is no bar to this Nation holding one of its own citizens as an enemy combatant, and we make clear whatever the law is. It is unaffected by this language in our bill. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.”