Conference Report On Fiscal Year 2010 Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2892)

Floor Speech

* Ms. MCCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Conference Report on the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Chairman OBEY and Chairman PRICE deserve recognition for their leadership in crafting a fiscally responsible bill that provides vital aid for our first responders and also makes key investments to improve the security of our borders, ports, and aviation and transit systems.

* With this bill, Congress takes important steps to close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility while also ensuring the security of the United States. H.R. 2892 prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the United States, except for the purpose of criminal prosecution. The President must report to Congress any detainee transferred to the U.S. or any other country. This bill mandates the inclusion of all Guantanamo detainees on the TSA ``No Fly List.''

* Madam Speaker, I also oppose the Republican Motion to Recommit on H.R. 2892, which would prevent detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to be brought into the United States for prosecution or incarceration. This motion is unnecessary due to the safeguards contained in this conference report. The Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility is a disturbing and unfortunate chapter in our Nation's history. Under the leadership of President Obama, the United States will close the detention center and restore our commitment to human rights and justice.

* I urge a ``no'' vote on the Republican Motion to Recommit and urge my colleagues to support final passage.

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