U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Obama’s announcement to transfer terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to facilities within U.S. Borders.
“Since 2009, Congress has repeatedly acted to prevent the transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to American soil. The President’s plan violates laws passed by Congress—including many that bear the President’s own signature—that directly prohibit funds from being used to move enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. facilities. This action is just the latest in long list of President Obama’s propensity of executive overreach and disregard for the will of the American people.
“Moving these suspected terrorists to our shores could present another politically attractive target for a terrorist attack within our borders. Closing Guantanamo Bay with the intention to move suspected terrorists near our families, schools and neighborhoods could result in foreign terrorist suspects receiving legal protections under the U.S. Constitution, which go beyond the legal rights they currently have. I strongly oppose the President’s plan and will continue fighting to stop it.”
The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Obama late last year specifically prohibited funds to be utilized to transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the U.S.
SEC. 1031: NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL: “No amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense may be used during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2016, to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who— (1) is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and (2) is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense.”
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