CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN INTRODUCES “NO TROOPS IN OUR STREETS ACT” TO PREVENT ILLEGAL DOMESTIC TROOP DEPLOYMENTS AND VOTER INTIMIDATION AHEAD OF MIDTERM ELECTION

Congressman Pat Ryan Introduces “No Troops in Our Streets Act” to Prevent Illegal Domestic Troop Deployments and Voter Intimidation Ahead of Midterm Election

Ryan’s bill prevents President Trump from weaponizing the military to interfere with elections; the introduction follows new reports that advisors close to the President are encouraging him to declare martial law ahead of the midterm elections 

Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out declaring a national emergency on elections, has already deployed thousands of U.S. troops to Democratic-led cities, and suggested that Republicans should “take over” the voting process

The introduction comes just 33 days before the midterm election, in which Democrats are projected to massively out-perform Republicans

WASHINGTON, DC  – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan – an Iraq War combat veteran and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress – introduced the No Troops in Our Streets Act, landmark legislation preventing the President from weaponizing the military to interfere with elections. Specifically, the bill would empower Congress to stop or reverse any domestic troop deployment ordered by the President.

The introduction follows months of threats and actions by the Trump Administration to interfere with the November midterm elections and amid new reports from the Atlantic that advisors close to the President are encouraging him to declare martial law. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out declaring a national emergency on elections, has already deployed thousands of U.S. troops against U.S. citizens in American cities, and suggested that Republicans should “nationalize” the midterm elections and “take over” the voting process. When asked directly in a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing, a senior Trump military official refused to rule out troop deployments to polling sites. 

“Patriots in uniform sign up to fight for fundamental American freedoms – not against them. Trump using U.S. servicemembers as political pawns is straight-up un-American, and we’re not going to let him get away with it,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Trump and those around him are scared – they know the American people are fed up with the war in Iran and skyrocketing prices. Instead of working to lower costs, Trump and his team are cooking up ways to intimidate voters, refusing to rule out domestic troop deployments. This bill provides a necessary check on the President. If he deploys troops, Congress can and will stop him. We won’t let this chickenhawk president exploit our servicemembers just because he can’t face the fact that the American people are fed up with his failed agenda of higher costs and unprecedented corruption.”

The legislation was co-sponsored by fellow Democratic veterans Reps. Eugene Vindman, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Jimmy Panetta, and  Chrissy Houlahan. Senator Elissa Slotkin introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bicameral legislation also includes $1 billion in new resources for state and local law enforcement on the ground. 

Congressman Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran, served two combat tours in Iraq, and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Amid recent threats to veterans’ benefits, national security concerns, and rising threats worldwide, Congressman Ryan led his fellow veterans in Congress to create the Democratic Veterans Caucus. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and has led extensive legislation to deliver relief for veterans, servicemembers, and military families. 

###