Rep. Calvert Signs Discharge Petition On Guantanamo Bay Closing

Press Release

Rep. Calvert Signs Discharge Petition On Guantanamo Bay Closing

Today Rep. Calvert (R-CA) signed the discharge petition on H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act.

"The Administration and the Pelosi Congress are moving forward on a dangerous precedent that will bring terrorists to the U.S., place them in federal prisons and, depending on the level of evidence, either prosecute them or let them go," said Rep. Calvert.

"It is preposterous that we are bringing war combatants to the U.S. in order to give them all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen, expend taxpayer dollars to prosecute them as criminals, and, quite possibly, let them walk free in our society. It is already happening in New York.

"The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is an incentive for terrorists to attack Americans on U.S. soil, rather than face our military on the battlefield, because they will be afforded every right and privilege of a U.S. citizen. And yet terrorists refuse to acknowledge even the most basic of human rights, such as not using children as human shields. Even more offensive, the trial and defense of these terrorists will be paid for with American taxpayer dollars.

"The Democratic leadership mistakenly thinks that the closing of Guantanamo Bay will somehow appease our enemies -- it will not. It will only reinforce their opinion that the U.S does not have what it takes to win this war."

Rep. Hoekstra filed the discharge petition on H.R. 2294. The bill was authored by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and cosponsored by 169 Members, of which Rep. Calvert was a cosponsor. The bill would:

• Affirm Congress' opposition to transferring or releasing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States;

• Prohibit the Obama 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 certification to Congress that strict requirements have been met; and

• Prohibit the president from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States without fulfilling strict congressional notification and certification requirements.

Rep. Calvert introduced H.R. 1069 in February which directs the President to:

• Notify the congressional defense committees at least 90 days before taking any action associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners.

• Submit a study regarding the feasibility of closing Guantanamo Bay which shall address legal ramifications, security, infrastructure and other support requirements associated with the closure and transfer of prisoners.

Source