Congressman Lamar Smith, Twenty First Congressional
District of Texas
WASHINGTON – House Republicans today introduced legislation to prohibit federal courts from ordering the release or transfer of Gitmo detainees into the U.S. The Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act (H.R. 630) establishes clear rules regarding the detention of known terrorists. President Obama today signed an executive order to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, raising concerns about the release of dangerous detainees. Ranking Member Smith issued the following statement regarding this new legislation:
“Closing Guantanamo Bay presents a clear and present danger to all Americans. These suspected terrorists must now be relocated and if they are transferred to military prisons in the U.S., they automatically will be granted rights far beyond those given to enemy combatants by any other country.
“The result is that many will petition friendly federal judges who may order their release into U.S. communities. This important legislation ensures that no foreign terrorist can be released by a court onto U.S. soil, prevents the disclosure of sensitive intelligence information and protects American lives.
“But that’s not the only concern with closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. A recent Pentagon report found that out of those Gitmo detainees already released, 61 have returned to terrorist activities. Before any more steps are taken, the Obama Administration must assure the American people of two things. First, that the released detainees will not return to the battlefield to once again target innocent Americans or attack U.S or allied forces. And second, that no Gitmo detainees will be released or transferred onto U.S. soil, where they could be released into American communities.”
Specifically, the Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act prohibits a federal court from ordering the government to bring enemy combatants into the U.S. and ensures that an alien captured and detained abroad during wartime cannot be admitted and released in the U.S.
House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) was joined today by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Judiciary Committee Members Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) Daniel Lungren (R-Calif.), Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Ted Poe (R-Texas), Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Howard Coble (R-NC), and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.).
