– Yesterday, Rep. Don Bacon returned from a bipartisan day trip to Guantanamo Bay.  The purpose of the travel was to provide Members of Congress, particularly freshmen, and professional staff from the House Armed Services Committee an opportunity to observe detention operations at Joint Task Force – Guantanamo (GTMO). While at GTMO the delegation observed camp operations, received a briefing from JTF-GTMO senior leaders about the mission and current operations including an overview of ongoing processes at the Expeditionary Legal Complex, and received a tour of active detention camps, and support facilities.  Congressman Bacon made the following statement regarding the trip:

"The facility at Guantanamo Bay now holds 41 of the most dangerous detainees since the 9/11 attacks.  In its history, the facility has held approximately 770 detainees, with the most at any one time around 680. The 41 held today include those who masterminded the 9/11 attacks that killed almost 3,000 Americans and the organizer of the attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 of our sailors.  There are other high-level detainees that led deadly attacks in other parts of the world as well.

It is beyond time to hold these murderers accountable.  Over the years, the executive and legislative branches have changed the laws and policies that guide the tribunal process, leading to where we are today.  It is time to move forward and deliver justice to the planners who killed thousands of our citizens.  We want accountability.

I commend the servicemen and women, as well as the civilians, who guard and care for these detainees in an admirable and professional manner.  This is a very demanding duty with high visibility, and little room for lack of judgment.  I saw superb professionals dedicated to getting it done right.  I enjoyed having lunch with two soldiers from Nebraska, one from Bellevue and one from Fremont.  These two Reservists were proud of their mission.

The war against al Qaeda and ISIS continues, and most of the 41 detainees remain dedicated to the destruction of America.  Most want to be combatants again and about one-third of the Guantanamo Bay detainees who were previously released have rejoined the fight against us and our Allies. While this war continues, we must ensure none of the 41 are released and given the opportunity to again kill Americans citizens or our Allies."

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