Oklahoma Senate Bill SCR2

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23

Caption

Concurrent resolution; directing the Pentagon and U.S. Department of Defense to not send foreign soldiers to Oklahoma; and encouraging the executive branch and state's law enforcement.

Impact

The resolution underscores a significant stand on the interplay between state-level and federal military directives. By encouraging Oklahoma's executive branch and local law enforcement to use their powers to ensure that foreign troops do not train within the state, SCR2 reflects a legislative effort to assert Oklahoma's sovereignty over matters typically governed by federal authority. If enacted, it could redefine how states interact with federal military initiatives, particularly regarding training exercises on state territory.

Summary

SCR2, a Concurrent Resolution introduced in Oklahoma's 59th Legislature, directs the Pentagon and U.S. Department of Defense to halt plans for sending foreign soldiers to Oklahoma for military training. The resolution was introduced in response to reports of approximately 100 members of the Ukrainian military being sent to undergo training on U.S. military rocket defense systems. The bill emphasizes a need for state authority in matters concerning the presence of foreign military personnel within its borders, invoking concerns over state sovereignty while signaling a clear political stance against the federal government's military engagements without a formal declaration of war.

Contention

While supporters of SCR2 frame the resolution as a necessary measure to protect Oklahoma's citizens and maintain local control, detractors may view it as an overreach that undermines national military strategies. Critics have raised concerns that such resolutions could inhibit the efficiency of U.S. military operations abroad, potentially jeopardizing training initiatives deemed essential for national or allied security. The debate around SCR2 illustrates the tension that exists between state autonomy and federal military operations, especially amidst ongoing international conflicts and heightened security concerns.