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Guthrie Condemns Administration on Release of ÔTaliban Five'
Washington, DC,
September 9, 2014
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National Security
Congressman Brett Guthrie voted today in support of a resolution to disapprove of the Administration's decision to release known Taliban leaders, despite national security concerns, and without consulting Congress as required by law.
Washington, DC – Congressman Brett Guthrie voted today in support of a resolution to disapprove of the Administration’s decision to release known Taliban leaders, despite national security concerns, and without consulting Congress as required by law. “By negotiating with terrorists to release five Taliban leaders, President Obama once again proved his willingness to ignore our nation’s laws,” said Congressman Guthrie. A Government Accountability Office report, dated August 21, 2014, concluded that the transfer violated the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act of 2014 and the Antideficiency Act. Under the DoD Appropriations bill the President is prohibited from transferring any prisoners from Guantanamo Bay without providing advance notice to Congress. The Antideficiency Act bars government employees from spending funds that have not been authorized by Congress. In addition to the legal violations expressed by the non-partisan GAO, the Administration has also been strongly criticized for negotiating with known terrorists. “The list of violations related to this transfer is long and serious. But the gravest concern is that these individuals have a dangerous history and should never have been released in the first place. Now we are forced to plan for what they may do and where they may go when they are free to leave their current constraints in Qatar – which is less than one year away,” added Congressman Guthrie. ### |