Roe Leads Fight To Stop Detainee Trials In Civilian Courts

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-1) cosponsored H.R. 4556, legislation to block funding for civilian trials in the United States for self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators.

"The Attorney General's decision to try these terrorists was not well thought out, financially reckless and, most importantly, is not in our national security interests," stated Roe. "It is inconceivable that the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and the murderer of American journalist Daniel Pearl would be given the same rights as American citizens or more rights than an American service member who is tried by a military tribunal. I hope that once we are successful in blocking funding for this trial, the Administration will work with Congress in a constructive bipartisan manner to create a military commission to try these terrorists."

The civilian trials are estimated to cost at least $250 million a year and could last as long as four years, according to Frank Wolf (VA-10), the top Republican on the House appropriations subcommittee that funds the Justice Department. Many state and local officials in New York have voiced outright opposition or serious concerns about the Administration's current plan of conducting the trial in downtown Manhattan. Last week, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated, "It would be great if the federal government could find a site that didn't cost a billion dollars, which using downtown [New York City] will. [The trial] is going to cost an awful lot of money and disturb an awful lot of people."

H.R. 4556 would still allow for Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators to be tried by military commission at either Guantanamo Bay or on secure military bases in the United States.

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