By a vote of 282-131, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a measure offered by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) to block the transfer into the United States of 9-11 co-conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other detainees housed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The motion also expanded an investigation into allegations that GITMO detainee lawyers affiliated with the John Adams project have violated US law.
Following the House’s overwhelming rejection of President Obama’s handling of the 9-11 trials, U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, released the following statement:
“Today the House of Representatives, reflecting the will of most Americans, rejected the Obama Administration’s failed handling of the 9-11 terrorists. The Republican motion to recommit will prohibit the transfer of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other GITMO detainees into the United States. The amendment would also expand a Department of Defense Inspector General investigation into alleged violations of law by lawyers representing GITMO detainees. This amendment keeps terrorists off our soil and ensures that sensitive national security information does not get into the hands of terrorists.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), the sponsor of the Motion, added:
“After passage of this motion, the Administration has no justification to delay the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other detainees, which should begin immediately at Guantanamo.”