Guantanamo Bay

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, yesterday I joined Senators Gardner and Moran on a factfinding mission to Guantanamo Bay. Guantanamo Bay was a humble reminder of the services our military provides overseas to get these terrorists off the battlefield and ensure they don't end up in Americans' backyards.

President Obama has signed multiple pieces of legislation into law that explicitly prohibit the transfer of enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay to our shores. Most recently, the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act signed by the President specifically prohibited funds to be utilized to transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States.

Among those being held are detainees such as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who is the principal architect of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, according to the ``9/11 Commission Report.'' Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is just part of the 9/11 five who are currently detained in Guantanamo Bay who allegedly masterminded and facilitated the 9/11 terror attacks on our country. In fact, other prisoners include Osama Bin Laden's bodyguard, who fought U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

We need to do the right thing for our country and keep them locked up in Guantanamo and not help President Obama fulfill a campaign promise and bring these terrorists to our communities.

I am exceedingly proud of our men and our women serving at Guantanamo Bay. They are impressive, they are professional, and I am honored to represent their interests in the U.S. Senate. I will continue working tirelessly to prohibit the transfer of these detainees to America.

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