Hunter Urges House To Withhold GITMO Funds

Press Release

Hunter Urges House To Withhold GITMO Funds

In a letter to the House Appropriations Committee today, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter was joined by several of his colleagues to request that funding to proceed with the closure of Guantanamo Bay be withheld until a comprehensive plan is put forward and reviewed by Congress. The President's war supplemental request includes $80 million for the closure of the facility and the transfer of detainees.

"Before any funding is directed for the closure of Guantanamo Bay, it is important that we have a clear understanding of how the Administration intends to proceed," said Congressman Hunter. "There is apparently no comprehensive strategy in place for closing the facility or addressing the complex issues surrounding prisoner relocation and the continuation of detention operations.

"Additionally, there has been no formal consultation with Congress on these issues since President Obama ordered the closure of Guantanamo Bay. It's important that Congress have an opportunity to thoroughly review the Administration's strategy for closing the facility and consider whether or not it's consistent with our national security interests.

"Until then, Congress should not direct any funding to proceed with the closure of Guantanamo Bay."

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