MADISON – This week President Barack Obama submitted his plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba, which holds dozens of Al Qaeda and ISIS operatives captured during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As outlined in his blueprint, Obama plans to transfer some detainees to other countries – and move the most dangerous terror suspects to an undisclosed detention center in the United States.
Russ Feingold’s Troubling Record on Terrorism:
2005: Former Senator Russ Feingold supported legislation to “Grant detainees and enemy combatants the right to petition for habeas corpus in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.”[1]
2007: Russ Feingold stated that he was disappointed with Republicans for blocking efforts to restore habeas corpus to terrorists.[2]
2009: Feingold wrote an op-ed praising President Obama for signing executive orders to close Guantanamo Bay. He then voted against the conference report to the defense authorization bill, which prohibited the President from moving detainees in Guantanamo Bay to U.S. soil.[3]
2009: Feingold voted to kill an amendment that would have barred the Justice Department funds for prosecuting suspects of the September 11th terrorist attacks in federal court.[4]
Facing opposition from members of Congress, President Obama once again hinted at taking unilateral action to close the facility. Given his recent track record on bypassing Congress by utilizing executive orders, this strategy would not seem out of the ordinary. However, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and other Administration officials have confirmed that it would be illegal to move prisoners to American soil without Congressional approval.
Wisconsin Alliance for Reform Communications Director Chris Martin released the following statement:
“After spending eight years leading from behind, drawing fake red lines that our enemies crossed with impunity and projecting weakness abroad, President Obama and Russ Feingold are concerned that holding the world’s most dangerous individuals in a detention center outside of the country is bad for America’s image. President Obama and Senator Feingold’s proposal to bring suspected terrorists to U.S. soil should greatly alarm Wisconsin citizens who are concerned with the safety of our homeland.”
[1] S. 1042, Roll Call Vote #324: Rejected 44-54, 11/15/05, Feingold Voted Yea
[2] Senator Russ Feingold, “Sen. Feingold Issues Statement On Republicans Blocking Restoration Of Habeas Corpus,” Press Release, 9/19/07
[3] H.R. 264, Roll Call Vote #327: Conference Report Agreed To 68-29, 10/22/09, Feingold Voted Nay
[4] H.R. 2847, Roll Call Vote #338: Motion Agreed To By A Vote Of 54-45, 11/5/09, Feingold Voted Yea