1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

Reform the posse comitatus act prior to the end of the legislative session to keep the military and national guard out of domestic affairs such as suppressing protests and conducting mass deportations. The potential abuse of power in using military forces against civilians and immigrants is extremely concerning. We must take decisive action to reform the outdated Insurrection Act and Posse Comitatus Act to prevent their misuse. While originally intended to help overwhelmed law enforcement in extraordinary circumstances, the Insurrection Act's overly broad language grants virtually unchecked authority to the president. The Posse Comitatus Act forbids the willful use of military forces to execute domestic laws. These statutes raise serious risks of transforming our democracy into a police state patrolled by the military against the very people it is sworn to protect. The bipartisan "Principles for Insurrection Act Reform" provide a reasonable framework - requiring presidential consultation with governors, speedy congressional review of deployments, time limits on troop use without congressional reauthorization, and an option for judicial review. Senator Blumenthal's "Insurrection Act of 2024" incorporates judicial oversight as well. With threats of military suppression of protests and mass deportations, we cannot afford inaction. I urge swift, substantive reform of both the Insurrection Act and Posse Comitatus Act before this legislative session ends to keep the military out of domestic affairs. Our fundamental rights and the character of our nation hang in the balance. We must rein in these relics' potential for catastrophic overreach.