The Speakers Lobby
  • House GOPer's Try to Block Detainees from Trial in U.S.

     

    Key House Republicans are determined to keep suspected terrorists currently housed at Guantanamo Bay from coming to the United States for trial and incarceration.

     

    House Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) introduced Wednesday what's called a "discharge petition." It would force the House to consider a bill that would prevent President Obama from closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and require detainees to be tried in a military tribunal instead of at a civilian trial with a judge in the United States.

    The issue intensified in recent days after the Obama Administration announced it would transfer al Qaida leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four co-conspirators to New York for a trial. Mohammad claims to be the mastermind behind September 11th.

    "This is one of the most-dangerous decisions any president has made," said Rep. Pete King (R-NY), the leading Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee.

    King represents a district on Long Island outside New York City. He says he lost 150 friends on 9-11.

    "It will be like reopening old wounds," King added.

    The discharge petition currently has the signatures of 170 House members. All co-signers are Republicans. At least 218 signatures are necessary to force the House to consider Hoekstra's legislation. But it's an outside shot as discharge petitions are rarely successful.

    One of Mr. Obama's first acts in office was the announcement that he would shutter Gitmo and transfer the detainees elsewhere. Hoekstra accused President Obama of "holding out a pot of gold" to American communities in an effort to lure them into housing prisoners currently detained at Guantanamo Bay. Hoekstra lamented how the White House has shopped around the opportunity to lock up detainees to various communities around the United States.

    "One day they're supposed to go to Colorado. Then one day, Standish, MI. Then South Carolina. Then Illinois," Hoekstra said, reading off a laundry list of various locales reported to be under consideration to take the prisoners.

    Attorney General Eric Holder Wednesday defended the decision to try the suspects in federal court while testifying before a Senate panel. Holder told senators that New York is the place "most likely to obtain justice for the American people."

    "I'm not scared of what Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has to say at trial and no one else needs to be afraid either," said Holder.

    Some lawmakers like Pete King worried about bringing the suspected terrorists to the U.S. could create legal opportunities for the detainees.

     

    "The minute they set foot on U.S. soil, they get Constitutional rights," King said. The Republican lawmakers also pointed out that the government was trying other suspects at Gitmo and wondered why all suspects weren't being tried there.

Jessica

interesting post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you guys learn that some chinese hacker had hacked twitter yesterday again.

January 18, 2010 at 5:54 pm

reg in az

There really wasn't any 'Maverick' and there sure isn't any 'Rogue' but rather just common place BS'rs who are always arrogantly self-focused and trying to manipulate public opinion. For near forty years I was a Republican, having voted for JFK and not for another Democrat until voting against GWBush. It has literally become totally insulting now in what they expect us to accept and believe. Worse, as Bush-Cheney proved so completely, it costs us greatly as they unconscionably and...

November 23, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Hohokusmike

Holder and the WH are out of touch, not capable of making intelligent decisions and are blindly following the lead of the czars and liberal nuts coming into the WH through the revolving door that was installed about 1 year ago

November 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm

angrywm33

Obmama & Holder What does it take When we the people have in the white house that is the Coward and lap dog to the worlds evil doers!

November 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm

angrywm33

Gee! Somebody Trying to stand up in the RNC! Gee! is the way the prissy DNC Fights a War!

November 23, 2009 at 12:29 pm

liz

Anyone who thinks we the People want these criminals tried in civil court is insane!!! The people who lost loved ones have and will continue to suffer for losing loved ones!! The American courts are for Americans,not for those who are not fit to step on our soil!! We do not want these murderers in our country for any reason! Try them where they are and imprision them there as well!!

November 23, 2009 at 12:13 pm

sue eighmy

If congress and the senate don't stop this travesty, they all should be voted out of office. Why should we make Hero's out of these terrorists? That is exactly what they are trying to do.

November 22, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Bill

Why do we need to vote on a healthcare Reform Bill to discuse whats wrong with it when no one has even read the bill in the first place. This is just a power grab by the Dem's who are going to tax us to death to pay for these stupit programs. This is Obama's re-distribution of wealth. Those who work to earn a living and support their familes now have to pay for the leaches who suck the life out of us. I hope that every voter remember those who voted for this bill and make sure they show them...

November 21, 2009 at 10:06 pm

roger

this is being used by both sides for political gain, Pres Obama, and Holder want to use it to embaress Pres bush. and the republicans want to use it to embaress Pres Obama. Both sides need to get a clue. This kind of thing is why we need new people in congress, congress is responsible for the messes we are in. don't vote for anyone that won't go for term limits for congress, both houses! President Bush and President Obama are at the mercy of congress. the wars , congress gave war powers to...

November 21, 2009 at 8:28 pm

adrian m .

touchy subject.. cant help but comment.. i think holder's plan is as good as the republican's plan.. maybe theyre afraid of what these terrorists have to publicize..

November 20, 2009 at 9:37 pm

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