WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor condemning the White House’s threat to use executive action to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer prisoners to the United States.

“I will not stand for this president or any future president to threaten our security that way,” Roberts said. “The only conscientious way forward on this issue is to maintain detention at Guantanamo Bay. To do otherwise would be a violation of U.S. law and a violation of the will of the American people.”

Roberts continued, “I have gone head to head with this Administration on many issues but none, are as close to my core as my strong belief and commitment to protecting the United States, the people of Kansas, and all Americans.”

Roberts’ speech follows comments from the Obama administration that the president would not rule out the option to use executive action to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the remaining detainees to facilities in the United States. Officials from the Department of Defense visited Fort Leavenworth in Kansas in August 2015 as a potential site for these terrorists.

Roberts has actively fought the Obama Administration’s efforts to transfer Guantanamo detainees to the mainland, particularly to Ft. Leavenworth. Roberts placed a hold on the administration’s nominee for Secretary of the Army in September. He said, “During my conversation, I was reminded that the administration could not implement any parts of a study without explicit authorization from Congress. So, if and when a study was produced and the desire to act on it arose, the Administration would come before Congress to ask for that authority. The Administration’s threat to act by Executive Order yesterday speaks to the exact opposite of that understanding.”

Roberts has been an outspoken opponent against closing the United States’ current detainment facilities due to the high security risks and economic costs. In 2009, he fought the administration, including placing legislative holds on nominees, which successfully prevented its plan to consider housing detainees at Ft. Leavenworth.  

Roberts also hosted a press conference today with Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) on this issue. To view footage of that press conference, click here.

To view the senator's remarks on the Senate floor click the image below.

The following is text of Senator Roberts’ remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. President, I rise today regarding President Obama’s most recent, egregious actions regarding the closure of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base’s detention facilities.

The president’s determined effort began his first days in office, when we signed Executive Order 13492 requiring the close of GITMO within one year.

Fortunately for the security of the United States, Congress stopped this Executive Order. The President’s attempts to close GITMO were met by strong objections across the country. Even his home state of Illinois turned its back on a plan to transfer detainees to a state-run prison, Thompson Correctional Facility.

More importantly, the United States Congress laid down its first marker on prohibiting President Obama from transferring or releasing detainees to the United States through the Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in June 2009.

Every year since then, Congress has maintained its prohibition.

This year’s National Defense Authorization Act continues to enforce the will of the American people and the Congress. Yet, the president’s press secretary announced yesterday that the president is not bound by Congress or the American people.

And what the president wants to do is preserve his alleged legacy, fulfill a campaign promise, and close GITMO. Not taking a hard look at what may take place.

The administration has put a bullseye on Ft. Leavenworth – the intellectual center of the Army, home to the Command and General Staff College, training international officers among our Armed Forces’ best and brightest.

I have gone head to head with this Administration on many issues but none are as close to my core as my strong belief and commitment to protecting the United States, the people of Kansas, and all Americans.

I have often said, the first obligation of any Member of Congress is to protect our national security.

Allowing GITMO terrorists to step foot in the U.S. is in direct violation of that duty and commitment to the American people. We should not stand for this president or any future president to threaten our national security by executive order.

Mr. President, it is regrettable that I have to be here making this speech at all today.

In September, I placed a hold on the Administration’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Army. I did so with purpose and respect. I articulated this to the Army and the Department of Defense. During my conversation, I was reminded that the Administration could not implement any parts of a study without explicit authorization from Congress. So, if and when a study was produced and the desire to act on it arose, the Administration would come before Congress to ask for that authority.

The Administration’s threat to act by Executive Order yesterday speaks to the exact opposite of that understanding.

Congress has listened to Americans and done what is necessary to uphold national security and prohibit this Administration from behaving in an unleashed fashion.

But we have a president that is resolute. He’s reminded us of that fact by signing 223 Executive Orders. 

President Obama should take heed. As the threat of ISIS grows, stability in Syria continues to erode, Russia advances its incongruent agenda in the Middle East, and Iran continues to churn its nuclear reactors, we cannot, must not act politically. We must act conscientiously. The only conscientious way forward on this issue is to maintain detention at Guantanamo Bay. To do otherwise would be a violation of U.S. law and a violation of the will of the American people.

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