Five Washington state representatives introduced HB 2759 on Tuesday. The bill condemns the unlawful detention of United States citizens and lawful resident aliens under the National Defense Authorization Act, and forbids “any state employee, member of the Washington National Guard or any agent of a corporation doing business with the state” to cooperate in the federal detainment or investigation of a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

It also prohibits the United States military from conducting within the boundaries of the state of Washington, an investigation or detainment of a United States citizen or lawful resident alien located within the state of Washington, except for a few narrowly prescribed circumstances.


The bill meticulously makes its case, asserting that the NDAA leaves the door open for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without due process, violating the U.S. Constitution. While the language of the bill acknowledges the danger of terrorism, it insists protecting Americans cannot come at the expense of their constitutionally protected rights.