Closing the Guantanamo Bay prison and moving its inmates to the U.S. would amount to an egregious end run on Congress, say three Republican senators whose states are under consideration for relocating the terrorist detainees.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., called the military prison in Cuba “the world’s best location for these enemy combatants” and said the Navy's Consolidated Brig military prison outside outside Charleston is not an acceptable alternative.
President Obama has tried for years to shut down the Guantanamo facility, calling it a recruiting tool for jihadists that costs too much to operate. Many prisoners have been transferred to other countries, but 112 remain, including prisoners no other country will accept.
There are signs that the White House may try to amend a congressional ban on spending federal money to relocate the detainees, or that Obama may close the prison through executive action. White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Wednesday that Obama wants to work with Congress to close Guantanamo Bay, but "if Congress continues to refuse," the president will explore all other options.
The possibility that a closure plan will be released this week drew heated responses from Scott and senators from Colorado and Kansas at a Capitol Hill news conference.
“The president in this latest announcement is overcookin’ my grits,” Scott said. “This is approaching lawless behavior. To consider a domestic location is, in my opinion, the worst decision for America’s national security.”
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas., has blocked Senate action on confirming Obama’s nominee for Army secretary to protest Fort Leavenworth's consideration as a terrorist detainee site.
“This administration has continually gone around Congress and tried to figure out which button to push to irritate Congress the most. Well, he sure as hell pushed my button,” Roberts said.
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said the administration already has violated the spending ban by sending teams to Colorado to inspect a closed state prison where it might try to house Guantanamo detainees.
“The president has an obligation to drop campaign promises that imperil the people of this country,” Gardner said.
Scott is among several officials in South Carolina protesting consideration of the naval brig. Gov. Nikki Haley and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham also have said the brig is too close to Charleston to house terrorism suspects.
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