GOP Leaders Introduce Bill to Block GITMO Terrorists from Import into America

Obama Administration plans to release terrorists currently housed at Guantanamo Bay into the American heartland would be blocked by legislation introduced today by House Republican Leaders in Washington.

The Keep Terrorists Out of America Act, HR 2294, supported by the entire GOP leadership including Conference Secretary John Carter (R-TX), would stop the transfer or release of terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. The legislation opposes releasing terrorists from the Guantanamo Bay facility and transferring them to the United States, makes clear that governors and state legislatures must pre-approve the transfer or release of any terrorist detainee into their respective states, and requires the Administration to meet strict criteria and certification standards before terrorists housed at the Guantanamo prison could be brought to the United States.

"When the President first suggested releasing GITMO terrorists, the concern was what to do with them," says Carter, a former Texas judge. "That concern was never addressed, and now we’re looking at having some of the most vicious terrorists in the world brought into this country by our federal government and potentially turned loose on our citizens. That would be an absolute breach of the most basic responsibility of the government towards the people – not just lack of national defense, but actually aiding those who have tried to kill us."

Carter urged conservative Democrats to cross party lines and join with Republicans in defending American soil against terrorism. "At some point we have to forget partisanship and do what’s right for the country or we won’t have a country."