Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

The government response to Hurricane Katrina renewed debate over the efficacy of the Posse Comitatus Law that prohibits the Pentagon from conducting domestic law enforcement. Amending the legislation to grant federal troops greater authority in restoring order in the wake of a domestic emergency is a bad idea. Establishing ways to ensure the military is better prepared to respond to disasters makes sense, but changing Posse Comitatus would be a mistake.

We can do better than changing a law that safeguards the liberties of our citizens, the principles of federalism, and the balance of civil military relations.