Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s remarks at the National Defense University detailing the Administration’s strategy to fight terrorism, including steps to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
“I applaud President Obama reiterating his commitment to closing Guantanamo. He was correct when he said that “History will cast a harsh judgment on this aspect of our fight against terrorism, and those of us who fail to end it.” The treatment of these prisoners, most of whom never committed a violent act against the United States or our allies, falls far short of our own judicial standards.
“The President has rightly lifted the ban on detainee transfers to Yemen, and I echo his call on Congress to repeal the onerous restrictions on detainee transfers overall. Further, I welcome the President’s commitment to restarting transfers to third countries, and I look forward to supporting his special envoy to achieve that outcome. I remain concerned that we continue prohibiting trying detainees in U.S. courts, which have tried thousands of terrorists, who today are housed in Defense and Justice Department facilities throughout the country. We have the finest Justice system in the world, one that no individual bent on terror can break.
“I look forward to the day we can finally shut the doors on this prison that should never have existed.”
“With regard to President Obama’s commitment to reduce drone strikes, I welcome the President’s willingness to improve their transparency and reduce the frequency of their use.”
Congressman Moran has long called for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. As recently as May 10, 2013, Moran hosted yet another panel discussion on the path forward to closure of Guantanamo.
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