Speech #990278436

The first change in the act occurred 103 years after its enactment. as the worsening drug problem began to receive substantial attention. In 1981. the distinguished Senator from Georgia. . and I sponsored legislation which authorized limited military assistance to civilian authorities. I hasten to point out that our legislation did not amend the act. rather we granted a specific authority permitted by the act: First. it allowed information collected in the course of military operations to be used by civil law enforcement authorities. second. it authorized the Secretary of Defense to make available equipment or facilities under his jurisdiction. and training in their use. to such authorities. third. it authorized the Secretary of Defense. in the cases of certain drug. immigration. and customs laws. to assign military personnel to operate military equipment to monitor and follow air and sea traffic. and fourth. in an emergency circumstance. determined to be such under explicit criteria by the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General. it authorized the use of military equipment and personnel outside the United States as a base by civilian officials. and their transportation by military personnel. It did not authorize the use of such equipment or personnel for the interdiction of air and sea traffic. All of these provisions were subject to a general requirement that the military preparedness of the Nation not be adversely affected.