In June, I visited Guantanamo Bay and saw firsthand how this facility operates. The individuals held there are directly linked to al-Qaeda and pose a great threat to the United States.

While the U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to prohibit the administration from transferring terrorist suspects from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to face prosecution in the United States, officials struggle to meet the President’s self-imposed deadline.

The president signed an executive order this past January stating Guantanamo Bay, a military prison that holds terrorist suspects, must be closed by January 22, 2010. However, he had no plan in place to close the facility.

Recently, the White House’s national security advisor, James Jones, said the President’s deadline is proving harder to meet than officials thought. Several administration aides have come out saying that they are having problems completing the lengthy process of reviewing detainee files. 

I have serious concerns as to how current and future detained enemy combatants will be processed. There needs to be a concrete plan in place for trying and holding enemy combatants that guarantees America’s safety. Many Kentuckians I have spoken with have concerns about imprisoning these detainees on American soil.

Until we have a plan that provides for the secure housing of these individuals, closing the base is not a viable option. I would encourage the President to visit Guantanamo, and re-evaluate his deadline for closure of the facility.