Congressmen accuse Pentagon of illegally using taxpayer money to scout alternate Gitmo sites

10/3/16 2:23 PM


Americans, and particularly Kansans, understand that President Obama's desire to bring hardened terrorists from
Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. would make our country less safe," Mike Pompeo wrote. (AP Photo)

The Obama administration quietly spent more than $25,000 to survey potential relocation sites on American soil for terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, an action that Kansas Republicans say is illegal.

The Pentagon revealed the information in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the state's attorney general, according to a letter sent to Defense Secretary Ash Carter by Reps. Mike Pompeo, Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder.

Pompeo, a member of the House Intelligence Committee who has been a vocal opponent of the move, condemned the finding in a Monday statement.

"Americans, and particularly Kansans, understand that President Obama's desire to bring hardened terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. would make our country less safe." The law bans the Pentagon from using taxpayer money to find an alternate location for Gitmo.

"In completing these site surveys, the Department of Defense followed neither the letter nor the spirit of American law," Pompeo said. "I am proud to stand with my colleagues in condemning this illegal action and encouraging all states to pursue appropriate legal action."

The letter addressed to Carter, sent on Friday and made public Monday, requested answers to questions that include where the department derived legal authority to conduct the surveys, what conclusions were reached and whether further studies are planned.

The letter also asked whether officials were notified at any of the facilities that were studied. Relocation sites named by the administration include options in Colorado, South Carolina and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.

The Obama administration has remained insistent that 61 detainees held at Guantanamo Bay will be transferred out before the president leaves office.

Congressional Republicans have refused to grant authority for such a transfer for the duration of the president's term, and have said that will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/do...rticle/2603450