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Jared Polis on Homeland Security

 

 


Restore habeas corpus; end warrantless spying

Balance must be restored between the executive and the judicial branch (through the restoration of habeas corpus), between the executive and the legislative branch (by clarifying that the President does not have the Constitutional authority to unilaterally alter legislation through signing statements), and between the executive and the people of the United States (by clarifying that the Fourth Amendment requires probable cause and a warrant for the government to spy on Americans).
Source: 2008 House campaign website, polisforcongress.com, "Issues" , Nov 4, 2008

Allow gay veterans to receive certain state benefits

It means honoring those Coloradans who have bravely served our country yet been dismissed from the military and prevented from receiving certain state Veterans' benefits because of who they love. With the leadership of Senator Moreno, Representative Ortiz, and Adjutant General Clellan, we will start to right this wrong. I will be excited to see the Restoration of Honor Act reach my desk.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Feb 17, 2021

Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays.

Polis signed HR1283&S3065

Repeals current Department of Defense policy [popularly known as `Don`t-Ask-Don`t-Tell`] concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces. Prohibits the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation against any member of the Armed Forces or any person seeking to become a member. Authorizes the re-accession into the Armed Forces of otherwise qualified individuals previously separated for homosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexual conduct.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the furnishing of dependent benefits in violation of section 7 of title 1, United States Code (relating to the definitions of `marriage` and `spouse` and referred to as the `Defense of Marriage Act`).

Source: Military Readiness Enhancement Act 10-HR1283 on Mar 3, 2010

Sponsored defunding nuclear-armed aircraft and nuclear R&D or testing.

Polis co-sponsored SANE Act

Congressional Summary:Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act: Prohibits using funds in 2014 or thereafter:

  1. to arm a B-2 or B-52 aircraft with a nuclear weapon;
  2. for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or procurement of a long-range penetrating bomber aircraft;
  3. to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons; or
  4. for the B61 or W78 life extension program.

Opponent`s argument against bill: (Twitchy blog, `Who said what?`, twitchy.com): North Korea has evidently been conducting nuclear device tests, and the timing couldn`t be better, of course, as President Obama is expected to call for a reduction in nuclear arms tonight in his State of the Union address. Mass. Rep. Ed Markey is totall

Source: H.R.1506 13-H1506 on Apr 11, 2013

Restrict domestic monitoring of phone calls.

Polis signed restricting domestic monitoring of phone calls

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2014 or the USA FREEDOM Act: Congressional Summary:

  • Requires the FBI, when seeking phone call records, to show both relevance and a reasonable suspicion that the specific selection term is associated with a foreign power engaged in international terrorism.
  • Requires a judge approving the release, on a daily basis, of call detail records; and to limit production of records to a period of 180 days.
  • Requires a declassification review of each decision issued by the FISA court; and make such decisions publicly available, subject to permissible redactions.

    Opposing argument: (ACLU, `Surveillance Reform After the USA Freedom Act`, June 3, 2015): The USA Freedom Act that passed by a 67-32 margin is not as strong as we wanted. It is markedly weaker than the original version of the USA Freedom Act that the ACLU first supported in 2013. We supported a sunset of the provisions in an effort to advance more comprehensive reform, including rejecting surveillance through cybersecurity information-sharing legislation. Notwithstanding this, however, it is very clear that the USA Freedom Act is a historic step forward.

    Opposing argument: (Cato Institute , `Cato scholars differ on USA Freedom Act`, Oct., 2015): The privacy community remained divided over the USA Freedom Act. The final version of the bill reauthorized several expiring Patriot Act provisions, but limited bulk collection. Some legislators argued that to pass new legislation would only provide the government convenient new legal justification for its spying--which it would interpret broadly. On the opposite side of the argument stood some pro-privacy groups who held that modest reforms were better than no reforms at all.

    Source: H.R.2048&S.2685 14-H2048 on Apr 28, 2015

    End bulk data collection under USA PATRIOT Act.

    Polis co-sponsored USA FREEDOM Act

    Congressional summary:: Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ending Eavesdropping, Dragnet-collection, and Online Monitoring Act or the USA FREEDOM Act: