WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Tuesday released the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union Address:
“Instead of taking this opportunity to show Americans that he will to use his final year in office to work with Congress, improve our economy and act to keep our nation safe, President Obama gave yet another campaign speech.
“The president failed to acknowledge national security threats while also reiterating his threat to unilaterally close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the remaining terrorists to the mainland – including Ft. Leavenworth.
“His intention to transfer terrorists to the mainland is just another of the Obama Administration’s misguided strategic national security decisions. Closing Guantanamo will never endear radical Islamic fundamentalists to America. It will simply move these detainees and their security risks north, to one of the communities in our states.
“I regret President Obama’s ‘go it alone’ agenda. Kansans have very real fears about this threat to the security of their communities.
“President Obama should listen to the Congress and the American people who have made it very clear that they do not want terrorists transferred to the U.S. mainland. However, as we heard tonight, the President has again turned a deaf ear.
“The president claims his strategy against ISIS is working but simply needs more time. In reality, the poison of ISIS has already spread through the Middle East, Europe and in homegrown terror on our own shores. Iran has tested two ballistic missiles and the fired of rockets near our Naval ships in the Persian Gulf – a bold display of aggression despite the nuclear deal negotiated that was supposed to broaden cooperation with Iran. We need a detailed strategy to defeat these very real threats, yet President Obama continues circumvent Congress with nonbinding executive actions.
“I remain committed as ever to ensuring our nation is safe and will continue to use all legislative tools at my disposal to stop the president from moving a single detainee to the U.S.”
Senator Roberts, along with Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) sat in unified opposition to the President’s plan to potential sites in South Carolina, Kansas, and Colorado as potential replacements for Guantanamo.