Joni Ernst: Obama’s Plan to Close Gitmo Is Reckless

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

The detention facility for terrorists at Guantanamo Bay is an important component of our counterterrorism strategy. These detainees are some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and the facility houses many responsible for planning the attacks upon our nation on September 11, 2001.

Regardless, the Obama Administration wants to bring these terrorists to a facility close to Americans’ homes in the United States. Like many other parents and grandparents across the country, I am deeply concerned that the release or transfer of these terrorists poses a direct threat to our safety and security – especially considering that about 30 percent of Guantanamo Bay detainees return to the fight after their release.

I have observed detention procedure and met with military commanders and servicemembers at the Guantanamo Bay facility, where I saw firsthand just how vital our operations there are in ensuring our national security. Congress has passed a number of bipartisan measures restricting the Obama Administration from building and outfitting facilities for relocation of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.

I urge President Obama to reconsider this reckless plan. I remain committed to working on behalf of the security of the American people, our allies and our global community.