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Gitmo Decisions Put Politics Ahead of Safety
Posted by Randy | December 15, 2009

It was late on a hot July evening this summer when I arrived back from Guantanamo Bay.  I remember going directly to the computer to pen my impressions on closing the detention facility and transferring terrorists to the United States. "A monumental mistake for our nation," is what I wrote. 

Today, the Administration is expected to announce that it will send 9/11 terrorism detainees from Guantanamo Bay to be housed in Illinois. This follows an announcement a few weeks ago that several detainees, including self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be prosecuted just blocks away from Ground Zero in NYC before a civilian federal court. I wrote about that in a blog entry here. 

The 9/11 conspirators are enemies of war, not common criminals. Moving terrorists in close proximity to American citizens can in no way make us safer. It is a security risk we cannot afford to take, and I am taking every action available to me to stop it.  

I recently signed a discharge petition for the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, which would force the bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. If we are successful in collecting the 218 signature necessary, the House would be forced to vote on stopping the transfer or release of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility into the United States.  

I've also joined with fellow members of the House Judiciary Committee and Armed Services Committee in cosponsoring resolutions of inquiry (H.Res.920 and H.Res. 924) to force Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Defense, separately, to release documents related to the Administration’s decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other 9/11 conspirators in federal court in New York City – the American public deserves to know the potential ramifications of relocating and trying them in the United States. 

This afternoon, I will attend a House Armed Service Committee markup on H.Res. 924. I am hopeful that we can bring this bill out of committee and onto the Floor for a vote, so we can make it known that the protection of American citizens and justice for the families who have lost loved ones as a result of 9/11 and terrorism abroad is our number one priority.
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Nancy Ivy commented on 12/15/2009
    I am completely amazed at how many things this administration can do illegally and without the "consent of the governed"! Mr. Obama has become, it seems, like a puppet in the hands of the democrat-controlled Congress! PLEASE OBJECT AND OPPOSE ANY AND ALL SUCH DANGEROUS ACTIONS. Thank you for your faithfulness to this country, to your district, and to your God!
  • Robert Noble commented on 12/18/2009
    I agree with you, in politics when things are done by our leaders their is another reason behind it and it really is not what it appears to be! Now we need to enforce the illegal aliens laws we have on the books!
  • John Concannon commented on 4/14/2010
    "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." -- Benjamin Franklin
  • Sydney Classifieds Sydney Classifieds commented on 7/26/2010
    How many things are added this administration can do illegally and without gain personal attacks will be removed from the site.
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