Detroit News: Sheriffs, Michigan congressman at odds over bill to limit power to seize property

Washington ― Law enforcement groups are fighting to stop a bipartisan bill led by a Michigan congressman that would curb agents’ widely used and criticized practice of confiscating and keeping cash, homes or other property from people without ever charging them with a crime.

They claim the legislation would “defund” police and choke off the use of the practice known as civil asset forfeiture. Proponents, including civil liberties groups, say the bill ensures due process and protects innocent property owners.

The legislation, led by U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, a Michigan Republican, and Maryland’s Jamie Raskin, a Democrat, passed the House Judiciary Committee in July 26-0 ― the only unanimous vote taken this year by the panel better known for partisan animosity and bomb-throwing.

Walberg is optimistic the bill will come up for a vote this month after the House returns from the August recess or in October, saying there’s “strong agreement” on both sides of the aisle that it needs to move to the floor, given the unified committee endorsement. The bill is the Fifth Amendment Integrity Act, or FAIR Act.

“I think it will (move) regardless of what some of the law enforcement associations are putting out that isn't true about the bill,” Walberg said in an interview.

“The longer we let it languish, the more of these arguments will come from, frankly, people that we support in law enforcement. But they aren't giving the facts out, and they're not treating it as I think they ought to.”

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Read the full article at DetroitNews.com.