Democrats want 'John Doe' provision
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July 19, 2007
By Audrey Hudson - Democrats are trying to pull a provision from a homeland
security bill that will protect the public from being sued for reporting
suspicious behavior that may lead to a terrorist attack, according to House
Republican leadership aides.
The legislation, which moves to a House and Senate conference committee this
afternoon, will implement final recommendations from the 911 Commission.
Rep. Pete King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland
Security Committee, and Rep. Steve Pearce, New Mexico Republican, sponsored
the bill after a group of Muslim imams filed a lawsuit against U.S. Airways
and unknown or “John Doe” passengers after they were removed for suspicious
behavior aboard Flight 300 from Minneapolis to Phoenix on Nov. 20 before
their removal.
“Democrats are trying to find any technical excuse to keep immunity out of
the language of the bill to protect citizens, who in good faith, report
suspicious activity to police or law enforcement,” Mr. King said in an
interview last night.
“This is a slap in the face of good citizens who do their patriotic duty and
come forward, and it caves in to radical Islamists,” Mr. King said.
“I don't see how you can have a homeland security bill without protecting
people who come forward to report suspicious activity,” Mr. King said.
Republicans aides say they will put up a fight with Democrats when the
conference committee begins at 1 p.m., to reinsert the language, but that
public pressure is also needed.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House
Homeland Security Committee, initially opposed the legislation for fear it
would lead to racial profiling.
The lawsuit also names the Minnesota Metropolitan Airports Commission .
The imams are asking for an unspecified amount of money in damages. Their
claims include false arrest, negligent and intentional infliction of
emotional distress, defamation, failure to train, conspiracy to
discriminate, and negligence.