Hank Johnson: “For nearly three decades, State and local law enforcement agencies across America have been flooded with surplus…”

“For nearly three decades, State and local law enforcement agencies across America have been flooded with surplus military-grade weaponry through the Pentagon's 1033 program. Late last year, law enforcement in North Dakota responded to protesters in Standing Rock in a well-documented, militarized fashion, reminding us of the danger which the use of military equipment by domestic law enforcement poses to the civil liberties of Americans. During the elections, President Trump ran on a promise to restore ``law and order.'' I am deeply concerned that the administration will follow up on that promise by making more military equipment available to State and local law enforcement agencies. This would further blur the line between the military and civilian police officers and violate a founding principle of our Nation. For this reason, I am, today, reintroducing the bipartisan Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act to rein in the Pentagon's excess property management program and ensure that our communities are not just safe, but that the civil liberties of ordinary Americans continue to be protected. ____________________”