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Cynthia McKinney on Homeland Security
Green Party nominee for President (Former Rep., D, GA-4)
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End the rollback of our civil liberties
Politics in the US is at a crisis level. Disillusionment, lack of participation, and establishment of false choice--what is one to do? For me, I can't give up hope.There are important issues, national in scope, that need to be addressed.
Unfortunately, they're not being addressed now. These issues include a livable wage, single payer health care, and of course the wars. And the rollback of our civil liberties and the infrastructure needs of our country.
Source: IPS News interview by Matthew Cardinale
Mar 22, 2008
Questions Bush administration involvement in 9/11
She lost her seat in 2003, after commenting on KPFA radio: "We know there were numerous warnings of the events to come on Sep. 11. Those engaged in unusual stock trades immediately before Sep. 11 knew enough to make millions of dollars from United and
American airlines, certain insurance and brokerage firms' stocks. What did the Bush administration know, and when did it know it about the events of Sep. 11?" Media outlets only played the last part of her lengthy quote & called her a conspiracy theorist
Source: IPS News interview by Matthew Cardinale
Mar 22, 2008
PhD thesis: role of assassination as a state political tool
Today, in addition to campaigning for president in more than 20 states, McKinney is completing a PhD in African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her dissertation topic is on the role of assassination as a political tool of the state.
Source: IPS News interview by Matthew Cardinale
Mar 22, 2008
Pentagon lost $2.3T; let's cut their funding
Why is it that we're not talking about cutting the money that we give to the Pentagon? The Pentagon has already admitted that it lost 2.3 trillion of our dollars. Where is the accountability? And why is it that the values that are so easily expressed in
public policy are the ones that say we have to cut social programs, we have to ask people who are losing their life's investment in their homes in this subprime mortgage crisis, that they're the ones who have to tighten their belts?
Source: Democracy Now interview with Amy Goodman
Feb 4, 2008
Maintain habeas corpus; oppose Patriot Act
Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Death Penalty, and also Civil Rights. A: In 1996, I voted to maintain the right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals.
I opposed the Patriot Act and its re-authorization.
Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
Feb 3, 2008
Bring home all troops stationed abroad
Reconstruction Party Manifesto point #9. We Want an End to Militarism Now!
We want all U.S. troops stationed in other countries around the world to come home. We call for an end to funding for war, products for war,
preparation for war, intelligence for war or funds used to destabilize other countries, or to maintain or expand U.S. military presence at home or abroad. We call for an end to the expanding police state at home.
Source: Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party
Jan 26, 2008
we have not had truth about September 11
Q: How can the Bill of Rights be protected after the next terrorist attack?A: Well, first of all, we ought to try as best we can to PREVENT the next terrorist attack.
We can do that by understanding the last one. We don't understanding the last one because we have not had truth about September 11.
Source: 2008 Green Presidential Debate moderated by Cindy Sheehan
Jan 13, 2008
Don't give up liberty in exchange for security
Q: How can the Bill of Rights be protected after the next terrorist attack?A: I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said that a population who gives up its liberties in exchange for security deserves neither.
We do have an infrastructure -- military and intelligence -- that can perform for our country if we have leadership that demands it perform.
Source: 2008 Green Presidential Debate moderated by Cindy Sheehan
Jan 13, 2008
Criticized excessive secrecy in 9/11 investigation
On July 22, 2005, the first anniversary of the release of the 9/11 Commission Report, McKinney held a well-attended Congressional briefing to address outstanding issues regarding the 9/11 attacks. The day-long briefing featured speakers who critiqued the
9/11 Commission account of 9/11, addressing omissions & a lack of historical & political analysis. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial maintained that the purpose of the event was to discuss whether or not the Bush administration was involved in th
9/11 attacks, expressing surprise that McKinney was once again taking on the issue that was widely believed to have been the one that cost her her House seat. The 9/11 Commission has sealed all the transcripts of some 2,000 interviews, all the forensic
evidence, and all documents used in compiling its final report until January 2, 2009. McKinney's interest in 9/11 relates specifically to her opposition to excessive government secrecy, which she has challenged with numerous pieces of legislation.
Source: Wikipedia article, "Cynthia McKinney"
Dec 21, 2007
Speak out against Pentagon waste, fraud, and abuse
McKinney believes that the most important bill in the US Congress is the federal budget, which is a blueprint of where our country is headed. At almost $3 trillion , the federal budget properly directed can provide for the health & security of our nation
McKinney believes that the 4th District must get its fair share and that taxpayers should get maximum value for their contribution to our country's overall security. That's why she has repeatedly spoken out against Pentagon waste, fraud, and abuse.
Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Issues"
Dec 20, 2007
Allow concurrent veterans' disability & retired pay
There is no reason why someone who is retired from the military should have to choose their pension over any veterans' disability benefits. While in Congress, I helped end this inequity & permit concurrent receipt of both retired pay & veterans'
disability benefits.I introduced legislation which is now law, that corrects an unjust provision of Agent Orange compensation. People who had respiratory cancers from their exposure were getting denied their benefits, and that will no longer happen.
Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Issues"
Dec 20, 2007
Suspend use of depleted uranium munitions
McKinney introduced the following bill in the 2005-2006 Congress: H.R.5303: Depleted Uranium Munitions Suspension and Study Act:
To require the suspension of the use, sale, development, production, testing, and export of depleted uranium munitions pending the outcome of certain studies of the health effects of such munitions, and for other purposes
Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Legislation"
Nov 1, 2006
Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant.
Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to allow the President & Attorney General to authorize electronic surveillance without a court order to acquire foreign intelligence information, after certifying that the surveillance is directed at the acquisition of communications of foreign agents. Proponents support voting YES because:
Intelligence is the first line of defense in the war on terrorism. That means we have to have intelligence agencies and capabilities that are agile, that are responsive to changes in technology, and that also protect the civil liberties of Americans. Let me make an analogy. With modernization, we replaced Route 66 with Interstate 40. We no longer have the stoplights and the intersections. We created on ramps and off ramps and concrete barriers to protect the citizens where traffic was moving very quickly. That is like what we are trying to do here--FISA needs modernization.
Opponents support voting NO because:
We are legislating in the dark. We do not even know what the President is doing now because he will not tell us. The New York Times exposed that the administration had authorized secret surveillance of domestic conversations. When exposed, the President claimed he was operating under inherent powers, but court decisions have found that the President cannot simply declare administration actions constitutional and lawful, whether or not they are.
Yet rather than finding out what is going on, this legislation retroactively legalizes whatever has been going on. The President already has broad latitude to conduct domestic surveillance, including surveillance of American citizens, so long as it is overseen by the FISA court.
This bill does not enhance security, but it does allow surveillance without the traditional checks and balances that have served our Nation well.
Reference: Update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978;
Bill H.R.5825
; vote number 2006-502
on Sep 28, 2006
Voted NO on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight.
A resolution providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5020) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities. Voting YES indicates support of the current methods for intelligence-gathering used by the CIA and other agencies. The resolution's opponents say: - This bill could have and should have required a dedicated funding line for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The 9/11 Commission recommended this board to serve as a civil liberties watchdog on the potential erosion of the basic constitutional rights. Now, 15 months later, we find our concerns about basic civil rights to have been well founded, but the oversight board is barely up and running [and is not funded].
- Many of us believe that when the President authorized the NSA surveillance of Americans, he broke the law, plain and simple.
- We are talking about the most basic fundamental civil liberties that protect the American people, and the Republican leadership will
not even let us debate it. What are they afraid of?
- If you believe that this President should have the ability to spy on Americans without a warrant and without going to the FISA court, then they should write that bill and bring it to the floor, then have a debate and a vote.
The resolution's proponents say:- We have had the good fortune in this country for the last 4 1/2 years to have not had another terrorist attack on our soil, and it is not because they haven't tried. The reason for that success boils down to two things: the courage of our soldiers and the quality of our intelligence. Exceptional intelligence is the first line of defense for America in the long war on terrorism.
- I think as a responsible body we have to start out by getting the facts. That means hard work that is done largely in secret. Oversight is under way, and, for the most part, the National Security Agency has been very forthcoming.
Reference: Intelligence Authorization Act;
Bill HR 5020 resolution H RES 774
; vote number 2006-108
on Apr 26, 2006
Voted NO on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists.
REAL ID Act of 2005: To establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence. - Title I: Amendments to Federal Laws to Protect Against Terrorist Entry - defining more factors relevant to credibility determinations in asylum cases.
- Title II: Improved Security for Driver's Licenses and Personal Identification Cards - setting minimum security requirements, including the incorporation of specified data, a common machine-readable technology, and certain anti-fraud security features. Title III: Border Infrastructure and Technology Integration - studying ground surveillance technologies.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R, WI-5];
Bill H.R.418
; vote number 2005-031
on Feb 10, 2005
Voted NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses.
Expresses the continued support of Congress for, and encourages the executive branch to continue challenging any judicial decision against, specified provisions of Federal law prohibiting making certain Federal contracts with or grants to institutions of higher education that prevent military recruiters from having access to their campuses and to certain information about their students.
Reference: Resolution sponsored by Rep Mike Rogers [R, AL-3];
Bill H.CON.RES.36
; vote number 2005-016
on Feb 2, 2005
Voted NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill.
Vote to pass a bill appropriating $266 billion in defense spending for FY 2000. Among other provisions the bill would allot $1.2 billion for research and development for next-generation tactical aircraft, yet would not include $1.8 billion in procurement funds for the new F-22 Raptor combat aircraft. The bill would also fund a 4.8 percent pay increase for military personnel. The bill would also allot $93.7 billion for operations and maintenance to be used to maintain military properties and spare parts that have been reduced due to overseas military combat missions.
Reference: Bill introduced by Lewis, R-CA;
Bill HR 2561
; vote number 1999-334
on Jul 22, 1999
Voted NO on deploying SDI.
Vote to declare it to be the policy of the United States to deploy a national missile defense.
Reference: Bill introduced by Weldon, R-PA;
Bill HR 4
; vote number 1999-4
on Mar 18, 1999
End the use of anti-personnel mines.
McKinney co-sponsored the Landmine Elimination and Victim Assistance Act:
Expresses the sense of Congress that: - the Department of Defense should field currently available weapons and other technologies, and use tactics and operational concepts, that provide suitable alternatives to anti-personnel mines and mixed anti-tank mine systems; and
- the United States should end its use of such mines and join the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
- Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 to make permanent (currently terminates on October 23, 2003) the prohibition on the transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
- Directs the President to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive plan for expanded mine action programs, including victim rehabilitation, social support, and economic reintegration.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR948 on Mar 8, 2001
Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace.
McKinney co-sponsored addressing abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace
- Establishes certain privacy protections for employees and customers with respect to electronic monitoring in the workplace by employers.
- Directs the Secretary of Labor to enforce such protections.
- Provides for coverage of employees of the House of Representatives and the Senate under this Act.
Source: Privacy for Consumers and Workers Act (H.R.1900) 1993-H1900 on Apr 28, 1993
Establish a Women's Bureau in Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
McKinney co-sponsored establishing a Women's Bureau in Dept. of Veterans Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Women's Bureau in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Source: H.R.3013 1993-H3013 on Aug 6, 1993
Recognize women veterans; assist military families.
McKinney adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda:
The teams of the Women’s Caucus are charged with advancing action on their designated issues in a bipartisan manner. Legislation from Team 8: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY/WOMEN VETERANS: - HR1847—Military Dependents Communications Confidentiality Act—prescribe regulations to protect the confidentiality of communications between dependents of members of the Armed Forces and professionals providing therapeutic or related services regarding sexual or domestic abuse. (Maloney/Kelly) [STATUS: enacted as part of the FY2000 Defense Authorization bill]
- H.Res. 41—Honoring American Military Women For Their Service in World War II—A resolution to honor the women who served the United States in military capacities during World War II and recognizing that these women contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in the war. (Myrick)
Source: Women's Caucus Agenda-106th Congress 99-WC11 on Jul 15, 1999
Page last updated: Oct 01, 2008