Hoyer Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Close Guantanamo Bay

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer released the following statement today in response to President Obama’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center:  

“Fourteen years after it was opened, the detention center at Guantanamo Bay continues to undermine America’s standing at a time when we must use every tool in our arsenal to combat terrorism directed against our homeland and our assets and interests overseas.  The detention center’s continued operation is a blemish on America’s commitment to democracy and support for the rule of law.  Congress ought to act swiftly to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay – an affront to our values and system of justice and due process – instead of continuing to stand in the way of doing so.

“There is no justification for keeping the detention center open; in fact, the President’s proposal would be far more effective in ensuring justice and keeping Americans safe.  Our civilian courts are not only capable of trying dangerous terrorism suspects, they have done so successfully, including in the case of 9/11 conspirator Zacharias Moussaoui and ‘shoe bomber’ Richard Reid.  At the same time, taxpayers continue to spend $4 million per detainee per year to hold these individuals indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay.

“I applaud past efforts to pass legislation authorizing the closure of the detention center in a way that ensures Americans’ safety and reaffirms our nation’s role as a beacon for justice in the world.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to press for Congress to give the President the tools he needs to do so.”