Senate Approves Defense Bill; Prohibits Transfer of Detainees to Mainland

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today announced the Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. The legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"This bill provides critical funding for our military, including equipment, pay, and programs to protect this nation from the many threats we face -- and it again prohibits the administration from transferring terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to the mainland," said Roberts. "Fortunately, we have been able to stop President Obama from honoring his campaign promise to close Guantanamo. But I remain vigilant, and I will continue to ensure detainees are not moved to the mainland to protect our national security."

The NDAA authorizes funding for the Department of Defense through Fiscal Year 2017. The bill contains the first major update to Pentagon organization in 30 years, with the goal of prioritizing innovation and improving the development and execution of defense strategy. It also modernizes the military health system to provide military service members, retirees, and their families with higher-quality care, better access to care, and a better experience of care.

Roberts has led the charge in the Senate against the Obama administration's attempts to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the prisoners to the U.S. mainland, in particular Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, a site that has been surveyed by the administration. Ft. Leavenworth is the home to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, which houses U.S. military prisoners, and it is against the law for enemy combatants to be housed with members of the U.S. military. Fort Leavenworth is also home to the Command and General Staff College, the Intellectual Center of the Army, where both American and international military officers come to study.

In March, Roberts introduced a Senate resolution formally rejecting President Obama's plan to transfer prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities to an alternate location in American communities.

Senator Roberts is the most senior Marine in the Congress. He was Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2003-2007 and is a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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