apparently this only applies to metro rail in DC, MD, and VA. let me know if that's wrong. :shrug:
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.
