By Lisa Haven

Imagine a bill that allows your home to be searched without a warrant. Imagine police officers or government officials coming to your house, knocking on your door, and forcing themselves into your home to do their “inspection”. No warrant needed, no approval needed. They enter and you grin and bear it.

That is exactly what Congress and the President approved on Aug. 22nd, 2017. The bill is called H.J. Resolution 76 and it gained overwhelming support by the United States Congress and sadly, not a blip of it was reported by the mainstream media.

All that and more in this report…

 

So what exactly does this bill allow and what is its purpose? According to the bill, it:

“Grants 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.”

While this sounds really good on the surface, the problem is there is verbiage hidden in the bill that allows something a little more devious. It grants powers to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, that it should not have:

“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 Commission shall make reasonable reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to any such adjacent lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities.”

Putting it more bluntly, if you live near the WMATA Rail System, government officials can enter your home, without a warrant, without a cause, and preform any inspections necessary. This cross our Fourth Amendment line.

“The right of the people 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, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

For More Information See:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/76/text