On the recordMay 25, 2011
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by my colleague and the ranking member, Mr. Smith of Washington, to strike language in the bill concerning the transfer of detainees to U.S. soil for prosecution. Mr. Chairman, simply put, this amendment does not require that detainees be transferred to U.S. soil. It simply allows a range of options for prosecution of terror suspects and supports our most sacred national values. As currently written, this legislation ties our hands at a crucial time in Gitmo's history. It's important to note that, as of today, over 400 terrorism convictions have occurred in U.S. Federal courts since 9/ 11. Prosecuting terrorists in the U.S. is just one of many options, including military commissions and detainee transfers, which must be available in order to bring these terrorists to justice. Now, a ``yes'' vote for the amendment is a vote for our national values, for due process, and for leaving all our prosecutorial options on the table when dealing with the world's most hardened terrorists. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Washington for his thoughtful amendment. Again, this does not require that detainees be transferred to U.S. soil. It just leaves that potential option on the table if the President so deems that that would be an option that should be exercised. Mr. McKEON. I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).
