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Cassidy Questions Obama Administration On Prisoner Exchange

Statement

Date: June 4, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Constitution Defense Military Personnel Foreign Affairs

Congressman Bill Cassidy commented on the Obama Administration's efforts to exchange American Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five Taliban members at Guantanamo Bay. Under the National Defense Authorization Act, President Obama is supposed to inform Congress of the exchange 30 days in advance. He failed to do this.

Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released the following statement:

"Sgt. Bergdahl's rationale for leaving his unit, how he was captured, and his current health status will be determined by the Army. What is known now is that by law, President Obama is required to give Congress 30 days' notice when releasing prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. The President chose to ignore this law. This is the latest example of President Obama once again deciding which laws to follow and which to ignore. This is not just a snub to Congress, but a rebuff to our constitutional system of checks and balances and his role as chief enforcer of these laws. We, the American people, have to follow the laws, and he should too. This is not a partisan issue - this is a constitutional issue."


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