Louie Gohmert: “The issue here is, do you want to fix the possible problems with the Authorization for Use of Military Force back in…”

“The issue here is, do you want to fix the possible problems with the Authorization for Use of Military Force back in 2001 when all of the cosponsors were not even here and possibly the NDAA? Or do you want to extend new rights that are not constitutionally required? Because those of us that have sponsored this amendment want to fix the possible problem of inappropriate detention. That's why this amendment was offered. I take a particular affront because I do not question the motivation of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith). I know the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Amash). We've stood alone on too many bills together. I know their intent is good. This is not a smokescreen. This is intended to fix a problem. In the underlying bill that came before the floor, it has a fix for habeas corpus in paragraph A. I added the provision that gets us to where we were before the AUMF. That's what I wanted to fix, not as a smokescreen. But what this does is say, if you had these constitutional rights before the AUMF, you've still got them now. And nothing in the AUMF, nothing in the former NDAA, nothing in the new NDAA can change that. You have those rights. I understand we don't have CARE supporting this amendment as they do the following proposed amendment.…”