Rep. Calvert Statement On Transfer Of GITMO Detainees To Illinois

Press Release

Rep. Calvert Statement On Transfer Of GITMO Detainees To Illinois

Rep. Calvert (R-CA) responded today to the Administration's intent to purchase a prison in Illinois in which "dozens of terrorism suspects being held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be moved to" (Washington Post: U.S. to announce transfer of detainees to Ill. Prison, 12/15/09).

"There must be a clear plan for dealing with where dangerous terrorists are housed, in consultation with Congress," said Rep. Calvert. "The President must declare to Congress his plan going forward in the transfer of detainees to the U.S. Currently, there is no plan and instead Obama has directed the movement of prisoners to U.S. soil without a legitimate policy or rationale underlying this decision. Holding detainees among a prison population in our communities here in the United States is unacceptable.

"It is preposterous that we are bringing illegal 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 with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

"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. 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."

On November 18, 2009, Rep. Calvert signed a discharge petition filed by Rep. Peter Hoekstra which would force the "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act" (H.R. 2294) to the floor for a vote. The bill was authored by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and cosponsored by 169 Members, of which Rep. Calvert was also 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.

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