Senate Passes Bill that Allows Military to Take Custody of Americans

United States soil will be defined as a battlefield if the Senate has its way. The Senate voted to preserve language that will give the U.S. military a crack at al Qaeda operatives captured in the U.S., even if they are American citizens.

Led by Senator Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, senators voted 61-37 to preserve the language that gives the military custody of al Qaeda suspects, rather than turning them over to law enforcement officials.

President Obama has said he will veto the legislation, but only because he wants the power for himself, as opposed to Congress.

“Any bill that challenges or constrains the president’s critical authorities to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists and protect the nation would prompt the president’s senior advisers to recommend a veto,” the White House said in a statement.