John Kline Co-Sponsors Legislation To Block Terrorist Transfers To Some Locations

Press Release

Minnesota Congressman John Kline is cosponsoring the "Detainee Transfer and Release Security Act," legislation that would restrict the President's ability to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to countries with ungoverned spaces and an active al-Qaeda presence. The bill was introduced this week by leading Republicans on the House Armed Services, Intelligence, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

"Al-Qaeda and its affiliated networks remain formidable enemies of our country and democracy worldwide," said Kline, a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps. "Shifting responsibility for the United States' security to countries with a demonstrated al-Qaeda presence would be reckless and irresponsible."

The legislation is in direct response to the high number of detainees who have returned to fight against the United States alongside al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks after being released from Guantanamo. The inherent danger of releasing detainees to countries where they can easily return to terrorism was underscored by the Christmas Day terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253, a plot planned and coordinated by an organization that claims a former Guantanamo detainee as a senior leader.

The "Detainee Transfer and Release Security Act" would require the President, prior to any detainee transfer to a foreign country, to certify to Congress the following:

* The country is not a state sponsor of terrorism;
* It can secure and exercise control over its territory;
* No portion of the country serves as a safe haven for terrorist groups, particularly al-Qaeda; and
* The country has no confirmed case of any individual released into their custody from Gitmo that returned to terrorist activities.

"Tomorrow is the President's self-imposed deadline to close the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. One thing has become clear during the past year -- the Administration has the wrong policy on how to handle dangerous terrorists captured in the ongoing war on terrorism," said Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. "Whether it be the ill-advised decision to bring 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York City for trial or the effort to relocate terrorists held in Cuba to the American heartland, the Administration has shown an amazing lack of sensitivity for the concerns of Americans."

In his fourth term in Congress, Congressman Kline is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and previously served on the House Intelligence Committee. He is also the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee.

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