Here’s How Lawmakers Use The War On Terror To Defend Police Militarization

Local police forces need military
equipment to fight terrorism, members of Congress argued in June
when they successfully beat back legislation that would have
restricted the Defense Department’s ability to transfer such
weaponry to police departments.

During a late-night debate on an annual defense appropriations
bill, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) tried to attach an amendment to
demilitarize the police. Specifically, his measure would have
blocked a Defense Department program that provides surplus military
equipment — Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and M16
assault rifles, among other things — to local law enforcement,
free of charge.

The House crushed Grayson’s effort, with 355 votes against
it and 62 for it. Ahead of the vote, lawmakers argued that it’s
good for local law enforcement to have access to weapons used in
war zones. One member warned it would “devastate” police
departments if they didn’t have access to such equipment.

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Also:
Ferguson’s Rep. Lacy Clay Voted Against Amendment to Limit Military
Surplus Transfers to Local Cops, Just Two Months
Ago