McKeon, Armed Services Members Introduce Legislation regarding America's Terrorist Prosecution and Detention Policies

Statement

In the wake of yesterday's announcement by the White House of a new Executive Order governing Guantanamo detainees, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.) and members of the committee today announced new legislation to address the Administration's Executive Order and America's terrorist prosecution and detention policies.

The comprehensive legislation, among other things, would affirm the use of military force against al-Qaeda, the Taliban and affiliated terrorist networks; create certain restrictions which would make it tougher for detainees to return to the battlefield or share information with other terrorists or malign actors; and would permanently block funding for the creation or renovation of any facility in the continental United States to house detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay.

Mr. McKeon released the following statement in conjunction with a press conference to announce the introduction of the legislation:

"America needs and deserves a careful and comprehensive plan dealing with law of war detention for terrorists. While our country cannot detain our way out of the threats we face, law of war detention is a critical tool necessary to neutralize terrorists and obtain valuable intelligence.

"Previously, in President Obama's speech at the National Archives in May 2009, he made a commitment to come together and create a path forward with Congress. Unfortunately, that has not happened.

"Instead, the White House did exactly the opposite yesterday by emphasizing "executive authority' and leveling significant criticism toward Congress and calling our actions "dangerous.' We've seen this show before.

"What I believe is dangerous are terrorists who wish to harm the United States. We have serious concerns about the substance of the President's executive order which creates a new review procedure for Guantanamo detainees.

"Yesterday, President Obama also announced the resumption of military commissions at Guantanamo. This is an important step toward moving forward with a law of war-focus instead of prioritizing law enforcement. However, notably absent yesterday was any reference to the disposition of Khalid Sheihk Mohammed and the 9/11 co-conspirators.

"We will be introducing legislation to deal with the most significant problems raised by the executive order and other detainee-related issues. In the days ahead, we are going to be working closely with Ranking Member Smith and other Republican and Democratic members to make this a bipartisan fix."

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