Rep. Calvert Rejects Ambiguity on Gitmo, Calls for Clear Plan

Press Release

Calvert Bill Would Require Detailed Plan Before Base Closing

In response to President Obama's address on the plan to close Guantanamo Bay this morning, Rep. Calvert (R-CA) issued the following statement.

"The President still has not clearly stated how some of the most dangerous detainees at Guantanamo Bay will be handled. There must be a clear plan for dealing with violent terrorists housed there and where detainees will be held. Holding detainees at military facilities or among prison population in our communities is unacceptable and would distract service members from their wartime missions and would place terrorists in close proximity to military families and communities. The Congress has acted in a bipartisan way to block the Administration from closing Guantanamo Bay prison until he produces a plan: today's speech, while heavy on rhetoric, was light on details.

"Three months ago, I introduced the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act of 2009 (H.R. 1069) which mandates: (1) that the President shall notify the congressional defense committees at least 90 days before taking any action associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners; (2) directs the President to submit a study regarding the feasibility of closing Guantanamo which shall address such issues as legal ramifications, security, infrastructure and other support requirements associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners.

"Two weeks ago, I signed on as a cosponsor of Keep Terrorists Out of America Act (H.R. 2294) to (1) affirm Congress' opposition to transferring or releasing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States; (2) prohibits the Administration from transferring or releasing any terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to any state without express approval from the state's governor and legislature; and (3) prohibits the President from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States unless he provides notification and certification to Congress."

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