Bono Mack Calls for Vote on Bill to Keep Terrorists Out of America
California Political Desk
November 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to keep terrorist detainees off U.S. soil and out of U.S. courts, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) signed a discharge petition to bring H.R. 2294, the "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act," to the House floor for a vote. Bono Mack issued the following statement:
"Like Americans across the country, I am outraged by the Administration´s plan to bring some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world to the United States to benefit from the protection of a flag they sought so hard to destroy," said Bono Mack. "It is unacceptable that months after the ´deadline´, a clear plan still isn´t in place to ensure our national security will not be compromised by such a careless maneuver.
"These terrorists have proven that they will stop at nothing to destroy the values and freedoms we hold dear. The American people deserve to be heard; we do not want to bring these dangerous criminals to American soil or into our court system.
"I call on the Majority leadership to bring this important legislation to the House floor for a vote so that we can move forward with protecting the interests of the American people."
Bono Mack notes that one out of seven terrorists released from Guantanamo Bay later returned to terrorist activities, according to a Pentagon report.
The "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act" requires the President to notify Congress 60 days before a transfer or release of a Guantanamo Bay detainee occurs and to certify that such a transfer or release will not result in the release of any detainee into the United States, adversely affect the prosecution of any detainee, or otherwise pose a security risk to the U.S. The legislation also requires the President to give Congress the reasons behind such certifications.
Additionally, the bill requires the President to certify to State Governors and Legislatures that the transferred or released detainee will not pose a security risk to the U.S. Finally, the bill requires the Governor and State Legislature to consent to any release or transfer of a Guantanamo Bay detainee into their state before it can occur.
"Like Americans across the country, I am outraged by the Administration´s plan to bring some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world to the United States to benefit from the protection of a flag they sought so hard to destroy," said Bono Mack. "It is unacceptable that months after the ´deadline´, a clear plan still isn´t in place to ensure our national security will not be compromised by such a careless maneuver.
"These terrorists have proven that they will stop at nothing to destroy the values and freedoms we hold dear. The American people deserve to be heard; we do not want to bring these dangerous criminals to American soil or into our court system.
"I call on the Majority leadership to bring this important legislation to the House floor for a vote so that we can move forward with protecting the interests of the American people."
Bono Mack notes that one out of seven terrorists released from Guantanamo Bay later returned to terrorist activities, according to a Pentagon report.
The "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act" requires the President to notify Congress 60 days before a transfer or release of a Guantanamo Bay detainee occurs and to certify that such a transfer or release will not result in the release of any detainee into the United States, adversely affect the prosecution of any detainee, or otherwise pose a security risk to the U.S. The legislation also requires the President to give Congress the reasons behind such certifications.
Additionally, the bill requires the President to certify to State Governors and Legislatures that the transferred or released detainee will not pose a security risk to the U.S. Finally, the bill requires the Governor and State Legislature to consent to any release or transfer of a Guantanamo Bay detainee into their state before it can occur.
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