Two Months Ago, Congress Had a Chance to Help Prevent the Escalating Militarization of Police

[n2doc]

As protesters around the country march in solidarity with the people of Ferguson, Missouri, politicians and the media are suddenly railing against the long-developing militarization of the American police force. But a revealing vote this past June shows just how uphill the battle is to stop the trend of turning police into soldiers. On June 19, progressive House Democrat Alan Grayson (FL) offered an amendment to the defense appropriations bill that would block the “transfer” of “aircraft (including unmanned aerial vehicles), armored vehicles, grenade launchers, silencers, toxicological agents, launch vehicles, guided missiles, ballistic missiles” from the Department of Defense to state and local police forces.

The amendment attracted the support of only 62 members, while 355 voted against it (14 didn’t vote). Included among those voting against it was Rep. William Lacy Clay (D), who represents Ferguson. Clay was joined by every senior member of the Democratic Party leadership team, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (CA), Steny Hoyer (MD), and Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (SC). Democrats did form the bulk of support for the amendment (with 43 votes in favor), with 19 Republicans supporting as well—led by libertarian-conservative Rep. Justin Amash (MI), who lamented that “military-grade equipment . . . shouldn’t be used on the street by state and local police” on his Facebook page.

Why was there such tremendous opposition to the Grayson-Amash effort? Two very powerful constituencies in Congress may be to blame: the defense industry, and the police lobby.

Take Rep. Clay. He has been all over the news media calling for justice in his district, and demanding an investigation of Brown’s death. Yet like every House member, he is up for re-election every two years, and his fourth-largest donor is the political action committee of the weapons maker Boeing.

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http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/08/militarization-police-force-ferguson-congress

[merrily]

1. Two months ago, it didn't look like riots might be imminent.

We'll see if it gets passed now that Ferguson seems to have quieted down. (My theory is that they throw us the occasional bone, but especially when they're scared. The Pentagon program is one of many things that helps them be scared less often.)

BTW, Grayson seems to be the king of attempting good amendments. Whether they pass or not, he seems to try a lot. Good on him for that.

[leftyohiolib]

2. pelosi....

[frylock]

3. so brave of her