Rep. Lee: “Closing GITMO Protects Our Values and National Security”

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ Peace and Security Task Force, released this statement concerning President Obama’s plan to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba:

“Today, the President sent Congress a strong plan to responsibly end detentions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Now, Congress must act to protect our values and national security.

For far too long, the indefinite detentions at Guantanamo Bay have undermined our fundamental values and national security. We cannot continue to ask taxpayers to foot the bill for a facility that costs millions of dollars each year, endangers our security and flouts the rule of law. 

National security experts are clear: this detention facility is a terrorist recruiting tool that must be closed.

Make no mistake, closing Guantanamo Bay advances our values and our national security.

I applaud the President for developing this responsible plan to bring an end to indefinite detention at Guantanamo. It’s past time for Congress to work with the President to close this facility.”

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Democrat Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.