Bush Wants to Consider Broadening of Military's Powers During Natural Disasters
President Bush said Monday that he and Congress should immediately begin discussing whether to amend federal law so the military could take responsibility right away in natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
"I don't want to prejudge the Congress's discussion on this issue because it may require change of law," Mr. Bush said, apparently referring to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, written in response to the huge federal military presence in the South during Reconstruction. It prohibits the military from engaging in law enforcement, but many exceptions have been carved out.
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"I don't want to prejudge the Congress's discussion on this issue because it may require change of law," Mr. Bush said, apparently referring to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, written in response to the huge federal military presence in the South during Reconstruction. It prohibits the military from engaging in law enforcement, but many exceptions have been carved out.