Jan. 14, 2016
Washington, DC – Following the release of an additional ten detainees from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, has called for the House to immediately pass his Guantanamo Bay Recidivism Prevention Act. The Department of Defense is expected to transfer a total of 17 detainees during the month of January.
“Releasing huge numbers of very dangerous terrorist detainees harms America's national security,” DeSantis said. “By the government's own admission, 30% of released detainees return to the jihad; the actual recidivism rate is likely higher in general and will almost assuredly be higher for dangerous detainees like the Taliban Five. Congress must act to protect national security by holding detainee-receiving nations accountable and demanding that the Administration report to Congress the details of these transfers.”
The Guantanamo Bay Recidivism Prevention Act would prohibit foreign assistance if a country received a detainee from the Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay on or after February 1, 2015, and the detainee subsequently appeared on the administration’s detainee recidivist report (as defined by Section 319 of Public Law 111 – 32). Sen. Tom Cotton (AR) introduced this measure in the Senate.
DeSantis, a Naval Reserve Officer and former military prosecutor, served at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center during his active duty service.
All official press releases from Former Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL)
