Several House Republicans have put forward legislation aimed at de-militarizing federal agencies, many of which have developed SWAT-like teams over the years.
The 2002 Homeland Security Act gave most offices of inspector general the authority to create their own law enforcement teams. That led agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration and others to create teams to conduct raids and arrests.
But Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and other Republicans say the federal government has gone too far.
"I understand that federal agents must be capable of protecting themselves, but what we have observed goes far beyond providing necessary protection," he said Wednesday. "When there are genuinely dangerous situations involving federal law, that's the job of the Department of Justice, not regulatory agencies like the FDA or the Department of Education."
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