Disapproval of the Administration's Failure to Notify Congress Before Releasing Individuals from Guantanamo Bay

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, the United States should not negotiate with terrorists. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree, which is why we have passed laws requiring the President notify us if he wishes to change effective foreign policy. Sadly, when the President unilaterally organized a prisoner swap with the Taliban for the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, he broke the law, disregarded the Constitution, and placed all American families at risk.

A recent GAO report details the extent of which the President ignored current law and disregarded Congress in his decision-making. In addition to violating the thirty-day rule, funding was used that was not available to complete the transfer, which violates the Antideficiency Act

The five members of the Taliban whom the President released and effectively pardoned from Guantanamo Bay are ``high risk'' and dangerous with extensive ties to al Qaeda. These terrorists have the blood of innocent civilians by the 9/11 attacks and American soldiers on their hands and are fixated on destroying our freedoms. Immediately upon their release, members of the Taliban praised this ``big victory'' as the first time the ``enemy officially recognized our status.'' One Taliban leader went as far to say that the return of one prisoner was ``like pouring 10,000 Taliban fighters into the battle on the side of jihad. Now the Taliban have the right lion to lead them in the final moment before victory in Afghanistan.'' These detainees are sure to relocate to Afghanistan and resume launching attacks against the United States and our Allies. At a time when our brave men and woman are still fighting the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan, this decision further places our heroes in harms way.

This administration has a history of ignoring our laws in order to achieve its own agenda. According to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, these negotiations did not happen overnight, but were in the works for months. The reason why the President did not notify Congress thirty days before giving the go-ahead to release and pardon five jihadists as required by law is because he did not feel it was necessary. It's time to put a stop to this irresponsible behavior and hold the President accountable. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution that condemns and disapproves of the President's unlawful actions, which have placed American families at risk here at home and abroad.

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