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Keep Terrorists Out of America

November 27, 2009

Congressman Robert Aderholt Op-Ed Column

Friday, November 27, 2009

The Times-Journal: Keep Terrorists Out Of America

By Rep Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Two weeks ago, the President Obama Administration announced that five accused Sept. 11 conspirators currently held at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be transferred to federal court in Manhattan to face trial, just blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center.

This decision, announced by the President’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, was met with sharp criticism by some groups and leaders and with praise by others.

Personally, it is troubling that the Administration has decided to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and several other Guantanamo Bay detainees to U.S. soil to be tried in a civilian court.

I share the concerns expressed by many Americans and some of my colleagues in Congress that this decision could unnecessarily endanger U.S. citizens, who will be a part of this process. There are many risks that should be considered with a trial of this magnitude, including the possible problems of classified information being released. Therefore, I join many of my colleagues in urging the President to reconsider this decision.

It seems that the best course of action would be for these terrorists to be prosecuted by military tribunals at Guantánamo Bay or another overseas military base because these people are not U.S. citizens; they are foreign terrorists, some with military training. The fight against terrorism is not a local police action. It is a war, with global implications.

A trial for these terrorists in U.S. civilian courts could last for years and even result in an acquittal based on some technicality. That is an unthinkable possibility that still remains a very real possibility!

It’s also important to keep in mind that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and many of the terrorists that took part in his plan of terror have said, on several occasions, that they actually want to plead guilty and receive the death penalty so that they can be martyrs. A trail like this could be construed as a twisted victory in the eyes of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

My position should not be interpreted as a partisan opinion or an attack against President Obama because of politics. I, like many Americans, simply believe that there are too many risks associated with this decision. In fact, the Governor of New York, David Paterson, who is a Democrat, and the same party as the President, also criticizes Obama’s decision and shares the concerns of many Americans.

Governor Paterson told reporters last week, "This is not a decision that I would have made, Terrorism isn't just attack, it's anxiety, and I think you feel the anxiety and frustration of New Yorkers who took the bullet for the rest of the country."

There are also many victims and survivors of the 9/11 tragedy that agree with me. Many of them believe that this decision creates a logistical and security nightmare for Americans, especially those in New York.

I felt so strongly about this issue earlier this year, that I co-sponsored the “Keep Terrorists Out of America Act” (H.R. 2294). This is a bill that is aimed at stopping the transfer or release of terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States.

In May, House Republican Leader John Boehner introduced the “Keep Terrorists Out of America Act” to affirm Congress’ opposition to transferring or releasing terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States. The resolution would also prohibit the Administration from transferring or releasing any terrorist detainees at Guantanamo Bay to any state without express approval from the state’s governor and legislature. Lastly, this resolution would prohibit the President from transferring or releasing a terrorist detainee into the United States unless he provides notification and certification to Congress.

Now that it is clear that Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want to schedule this bill for a vote, I have signed a discharge petition to force Speaker Pelosi and House Democratic leaders to give Congress, and the American people, a vote on the “Keep Terrorists Out of America Act”.

A discharge petition is a way to bring a bill to the floor for a vote, regardless of the Speaker’s objection to it, and only 218 signatures are needed.

Over the past 10 months, the Administration has pursed a decision to close Guantanamo Bay and this must be stopped. Despite repeated requests from many in Congress, the Administration has refused to present the American people with its plan for what to do with the terrorists held at Guantanamo. They should not be brought to the United States.

One of the primary goals of the federal government is to keep Americans safe. Bringing terrorists into the United States would risk the nation's safety and that’s not a risk that I’m willing to support.

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Congressman Robert Aderholt is serving his seventh term as the U.S. Representative of the Fourth Congressional District of Alabama. Rep. Aderholt serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, and a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee. Rep. Aderholt also serves on the House Budget Committee and the Helsinki Commission.