Bipartisan Legislation Addresses Cost; Safety Concerns Regarding Trial In NYC

WASHINGTON – Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today announced he is an original sponsor of bipartisan legislation that would prohibit funding for the trials of the 9/11 conspirators in civilian court.

“This legislation takes the right steps to ensure that terrorists are tried by military tribunals, not our civilian court system,” Lance said. “It is also a fiscally responsible measure as it protects the American taxpayer from spending an additional $250 million or more per year on a trial just blocks from Ground Zero.”

The legislation was introduced in response to the Obama Administration’s plans to try 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators in a civilian court in New York City. For his part, Lance supports trying terrorists in a military commission on a secure military base.

Lance added that many of his constituents expressed concern for a trial in New York City in lower Manhattan. More than 700 New Jersey residents perished on 9/11/01 including 81 from the Seventh Congressional District.

The legislation, authored by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and sponsored by Lance and 33 members of Congress, would allow known terrorists to receive a military commission trial at either Guantanamo Bay or on secure military bases in the United States.

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