[DocTim420]

Once the door is opened, it can never be closed--

Source: ww.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-26/congress-quietly-passed-bill-allowing-warrantless-searches-homes-only-1-opposed-it

(add third "w" to make link read "www.")

A bill that will allow homes to be searched without a warrant was passed with overwhelming support by the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Trump—and it happened with no media coverage and very little fanfare.

On the surface, House Joint Resolution 76 looks harmless. The title of the bill claims that its purpose is “Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.”

“Whereas the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an interstate compact agency of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, provides transportation services to millions of people each year, the safety of whom is paramount; Whereas an effective and safe Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system is essential to the commerce and prosperity of the National Capital region; Whereas the Tri-State Oversight Committee, created by a memorandum of understanding amongst these 3 jurisdictions, has provided safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.”

The proposal for a safety commission to act as a wing of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority may sound logical, when its power includes thing such as the ability to “Adopt, revise, and distribute a written State Safety Oversight Program” and to “Review, approve, oversee, and enforce the adoption and implementation of WMATA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.”

However, there is one major red flag buried within the text of the bill that stems from the list of “powers” given to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, and it violates one of the basic tenets of the U.S. Constitution.

“In performing its duties, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, may: Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass.”

The text gives the Commission the authority to enter property near the Metro Rail System “without limitation” and without a warrant, for the purpose of “making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing.”

This clearly goes against the Fourth Amendment, which states that Americans’ rights “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”

When the bill was brought to a vote in the House of Representatives, there were only five Congressmen who voted against it: Representatives Justin Amash, a Republican from Michigan; Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina; Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky; Alex Mooney, a Republican from West Virginia; and Mark Sanford, a Republican from South Carolina.

Amash called out the hypocrisy surrounding the fact that even though this legislation is in clear violation of the Constitution, it was passed by Congress with overwhelming support. “Only 5 of us voted against bill allowing govt to enter/search private property in parts of VA, MD & DC w/o warrant,” He wrote on Twitter.

Only 5 of us voted against bill allowing govt to enter/search private property in parts of VA, MD & DC w/o warrant. https://t.co/SVhTWqbPaB

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) July 18, 2017

This is not the first time Congress has quietly passed a bill that will take away some of the most basic rights from law-abiding citizens in the U.S., and it won’t be the last. One of the most important things to remember about this legislation is that it was ignored by the media, and while it may only affect the Washington D.C. metro area now, it could be laying the blueprint for future legislation across the country.

Not to be "political", but notice the 5 that voted against the Bill are all Reps...no Dems or Indies voted against it.

[St. Phatty]

Originally Posted by DocTim420

Not to be "political", but notice the 5 that voted against the Bill are all Reps...no Dems or Indies voted against it.

Heard about that.

The US continues its march towards *-Fascism.

[geneva_sativa]

Ya think we'll see any protests over this ?

Or more smoke and mirrors from the ruling class to keep the peasants fighting amongst themselves ?

[Amynamous]

This was obviously proposed and passed in the name of security. Americans need to make a choice between "security" and "freedom".
I choose freedom, and am afraid that I am in the minority.

[DocTim420]

You would think...but we are talking about a "metro" government agency--you know the folks responsible for maintaining the mass transit (bus, train, trolley, subway, etc).

Read aloud the bold words only:

Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass.”

This means if you live in a building "adjacent to WMATA Rail System", your 4th Amendment Rights are forfeited (period).

The view of bureaucrat is: what is good for one agency should be good for another agency.

[Douglas.Curtis]

I don't see anything good coming from this...

[mojave green]

Originally Posted by Amynamous

This was obviously proposed and passed in the name of security. Americans need to make a choice between "security" and "freedom".
I choose freedom, and am afraid that I am in the minority.

Never ceases to amaze me the freedoms mericans won't fight for. We don't deserve them if we don't fight for them!

[St. Phatty]

Does it apply to homeless people who live near the railroad tracks ?

I know the police treat them as if they have no rights anyway, BUT -
they do have rights.

Guess there's not much political payback speaking up for that demographic group.

[resin_lung]

I thought that was the same deal if there is a power pole between yours and your neighbors backyards.

I was told by a DWP guy that if they wanna climb up a pole, they're gonna climb up a fkn pole.lol

am I wrong in either believing this to be true or comparing it to the OP?

[Gry]

Anyone even remember the patriot Act ?
To be completely political, what's new.