WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts supports a bill to block funding for the transfer of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to anywhere in the United States or its territories.

"The facilities at Guantanamo Bay are unique, extensive and highly fortified to fulfill the military mission of detaining terrorists that are intent on killing Americans. There is no existing facility that best meets the requirements necessary to house current and future detainees in the War on Terror.

"It is a waste of taxpayer dollars in these hard economic times to construct a new, costly detention center when there are other priorities our nation should address.

"Gitmo is visited regularly by the Red Cross, members of the media and members of Congress. The brave men and women in uniform who protect our nation through their duties at the detention center represent our nation’s finest. They are carrying out their mission with determination and honor."

According to the Department of Defense, 61 released Guantanamo detainees have rejoined al Qeada and the Taliban to fight against the United States. Several have become suicide bombers, murdering close to 40 people in attacks in Iraq and Pakistan.

"The best place for these dangerous terrorists is Guantanamo, not in our communities they so despise," Senator Roberts said. "Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and other sites in America are not suitable, cost-effective or secure locations for detainees from Gitmo."

The bill, S.370 was introduced late yesterday by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and was referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Senator Roberts, a former Marine, visited Gitmo in 2005 as the then Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Roberts joined U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) in introducing legislation to study the cost and feasibility of re-locating detainees from Gitmo. The bill also requires the President to give 90 days notice before closing the facility. U.S. Representative Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the House.

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