Mazie Hirono: “reserving the right to object. This bill has not been brought before the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction…”

“reserving the right to object. This bill has not been brought before the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over these issues. This bill affects fundamental constitutional rights and should be given the full deliberation of the Senate. Legislation that grants the government the ability to strip citizenship from Americans is a serious matter raising significant constitutional issues. Again, we have not had the opportunity to fully consider and register a significant bill. In addition, objections to this bill are detailed in two letters, both dated September 2014. The letters are from the bipartisan Constitution Project and the American Civil Liberties Union. I ask unanimous consent that these letters be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: The Constitution Project, Washington, DC, September 17, 2014. Dear Senator: On September 5, 2014, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Expatriate Terrorist Act (ETA). According to Senator Cruz, the bill is a common sense counterterrorism tool that would strip U.S. citizenship from Americans who fight with or support foreign terrorist organizations working to attack the United States. In fact, the ETA serves virtually no practical purpose, raises serious constitutional concerns, and would do nothing to keep America safe. I urge you to oppose it. Like previous iterations of the same idea, the ETA would amend 8 U.S.C. Sec.…”