Sen. Moran Defends GITMO Prohibition, Sponsors Detainee Transfer Transparency Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today blocked an attempt to change the law in fiscal year 2017 to prohibit the transfer of GITMO detainees to the United States and took action to increase transparency of GITMO transfers.

"I remain opposed to closing GITMO and bringing detainees to Kansas or anywhere else in the United States," Sen. Moran said. "The full appropriations committee joined me in reiterating this message today by blocking an attempt to change the law in fiscal year 2017. Additionally, the White House should be transparent with Congress and the American people about the detainees they transfer to foreign countries and the risk they pose to our national security."

During today's mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, Sen. Moran blocked an attempt to change the law in fiscal year 2017 to prohibit the transfer of transfer of GITMO detainees to the United States.

Sen. Moran also joined U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) to introduce the Detainee Transfer Transparency Act (S. 2788). The legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to make available to the public the intended transfer or release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at least 21 days in advance.

The Detainee Transfer Transparency Act would require the public notice from the Secretary of Defense to include: the name of the individual, the location to which the individual will be transferred or released, and the current and past risk profile of the individual. If the detainee is being transferred to another location, then the notice must also include a summary of the agreement made with that location and list actions being taken to mitigate risk of another transfer or the release of the detainee.

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