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HR 5071 107th Congress House

Military Tribunals Act of 2002

Official title: To authorize the President to establish military tribunals to try the terrorists responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 9, 2002 Introduced by: Schiff, Adam B. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 107th Congress ended
It never became law before the 107th Congress (2001–2002) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 9, 2002
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 9, 2002
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1211-1212, H4402-4404)
Jul 9, 2002
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 9, 2002

Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Military Tribunals Act of 2002 - Authorizes the President to establish tribunals for the trial of individuals who: (1) are not U.S. persons or residents; (2) are members of the al Qaeda organization or other terrorist organizations who cooperated with the al Qaeda in planning, authorizing, committing, aiding, or abetting one or more terrorist attacks against the United States; and (3) are not prisoners of war. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe rules of evidence and procedure, incorporating specified requirements, to apply to the tribunals.

Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of Defense to detain individuals subject to such tribunals in accordance with such rules and international law of armed conflict.

Provides for judicial review of tribunal decisions and detention determinations.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should seek the cooperation of U.S. allies and other nations in conducting investigations and prosecutions of such individuals.

Requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on the use of authority under this Act and on each individual subject to or detained for a tribunal.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5071: Military Tribunals Act of 2002. 107th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5071/
MLA
"H.R. 5071: Military Tribunals Act of 2002." 107th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5071/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5071, 107th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5071/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5071: Military Tribunals Act of 2002](https://openamerica.io/bill/107-HR-5071/)
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