It’s no secret that we live in a dangerous world. Tragically, we were reminded of the very real threats we face when a radical Islamic terrorist murdered 49 Americans in Orlando in the worst terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11. As we continue to mourn and pray for the victims and their families, we must recommit our efforts to defeat radical Islam and those who want to harm us. As your Congressman, I refuse to accept 73 Americans killed on American soil by terrorists in the past two years as the “new normal.”
Keeping Americans safe is one of the most important responsibilities of the federal government. I’m pleased to let you know that we made progress last week when the House of Representatives passed an amendment I authored to keep hardened terrorists safely secured at the detention facility at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay. According to The Hill, “If enacted, Hudson’s amendment would be the strictest prohibition on transfers yet.”
During his last several months in office, President Barack Obama continues to push towards achieving old campaign promises — including his attempts to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay by transferring these dangerous terrorists to less secure places. Current law prevents the transfer of these detainees to the U.S. mainland, but the president continues to use a loophole that allows him to transfer detainees to other countries – or release them altogether.
How can this administration guarantee that these prisoners won’t return to the battlefield? The fact is, they can’t. In a gut-wrenching admission, a senior Pentagon official told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that former Guantanamo inmates are returning to the battlefield and are responsible for the deaths of Americans overseas. According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration admitted at least 12 detainees released from the prison have launched attacks, killing about a half-dozen Americans.
Some proponents side with the president and incorrectly argue that Guantanamo Bay is a recruitment tool for terrorists. However, history tells us these terrorist have been at war with the United States long before the detention center was opened in 2002. I’ll never forget where I was the day we were attacked on September 11, 2001, and I’m sure the same goes for many of you. I also remember the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in October of 2000 by al-Qaeda and their 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. There was also al-Qaeda’s 1993 bombing of the first World Trade Center in New York City, and many of us can remember when Iran took over our embassy in 1979 or when Hezbollah bombed our Marine Barracks in Lebanon in 1983. These all occurred before a detention center was ever opened at Guantanamo Bay.
We are at war with radical Islamic extremists, yet our commander-in-chief is so focused on closing Guantanamo Bay that he ignores the danger represented by these terrorists. This facility safely contains some of the world’s most dangerous war criminals and hardened terrorists. While at Guantanamo Bay, they are no longer a threat to our county. I’m committed to making sure they stay there.
The president’s plan is as dangerous as it is naive, and my amendment is another hurdle to make sure it never happens. I am hopeful the Senate will support this legislation and honor our obligation to protect the American people.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, represents North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, which currently includes Richmond County.