Kirk Statement on Reports that Two More Released Guantanamo Prisoners Returned to Terrorism Against the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) issued a statement after the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) admitted two more terrorist detainees released from Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo) have returned to terrorism efforts against the United States and our allies:
“The U.S. intelligence community’s revelation that two more released Gitmo detainees have returned to terrorism reinforces the danger and recklessness of the Administration’s policy of transferring Gitmo terrorist detainees to foreign countries without real accountability. Earlier this year, the Administration admitted 12 former Gitmo detainees had been implicated in attacks that killed six Americans, and the DNI continues to warn 30 percent of former Gitmo detainees are confirmed or suspected of reengaging in terrorism. Guantanamo Bay remains the safest and most secure place on Earth to detain terrorists who want to kill and harm American families.”
During the Senate’s consideration of the annual defense bill, Senator Kirk introduced Gitmo “transparency and accountability” amendments to require the Administration to provide American taxpayers with full details of any agreement related to transferring Gitmo terrorist detainees to foreign nations, and to cut U.S. foreign aid to any country that accepts a former Gitmo terrorist detainee and loses track of them.
Today, Senator Kirk signed onto S.2999 to prohibit the transfer of any detainees from Gitmo until the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017 is enacted or January 1, 2017. Similar legislation passed the House this morning 244-174.
