House Blocks Transfer of Gitmo Prisoners to U.S.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) issued the following statement after the House passed legislation prohibiting the transfer of any individual detained at Guantanamo Bay to U.S. soil or foreign countries:

“In an effort to make good on a misguided campaign promise, President Obama has repeatedly attempted to close Guantanamo Bay. I toured Gitmo and saw, firsthand, the facility operations and detainees, some of the world’s most heinous terrorists, including some directly tied to the attacks on September 11th. At a time when we continue to fight the ever-evolving threat posed by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda, it is unconscionable that President Obama would seek to transfer these known terrorists onto U.S. soil.

“The first and foremost responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense of its citizens, and I will not allow this priority to be undermined by the President’s shortsighted actions. Just today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that, so far this year, 2 more prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay have returned to fighting alongside terror organizations. The President’s release of these prisoners and continued efforts to free more is reckless and irresponsible. In response, the House passed legislation that would immediately pause the transfer of these Gitmo detainees to U.S. soil and foreign countries in an effort to protect the security of Americans at home and around the world.”

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