S.Amdt. 254

As an analyst keeping an eye out for the people, let's break down what this amendment from Senator Hirono is all about in plain English.

The purpose of this amendment is to create a new rule in the Senate that stops the consideration of certain legislation unless it protects people's constitutional rights.

Specifically, the amendment aims to add a point of order in the Senate against any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report that authorizes detention and deportation under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 or any other law that does not provide individuals with their constitutionally-protected due process rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

If someone tries to bring up legislation that allows detention and deportation without these due process rights, a Senator can raise a point of order against it. To bypass this rule and allow the legislation to be considered anyway, it would take an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the sworn Senators. It also takes a three-fifths vote to successfully appeal a ruling made by the Chair regarding this point of order.