Senate panel looks to stymie indefinite detentions

Associated Press

Tom LoBianco, Associated Press

Updated: Feb 12, 2013 3:57 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana Senate committee is advancing a measure supporters hope will make it harder for the federal government to indefinitely detain an American citizen.

The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of the measure that would bar state and local law enforcement from helping federal agents indefinitely detain Americans.

Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Columbia City says detention language included in a defense spending bill last year clearly deprives residents of due process. He and his supporters fear the federal government will use the language to secretly hold Americans without court appearances.

Banks had also sought to make it a misdemeanor for any federal official to enforce any provision of the defense spending bill, but the panel removed that provision from the bill.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.