WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) this week spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter about the Pentagon’s assessment of the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth as a potential site to relocate terrorists held at the detention centers at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (GITMO).

“I relayed my opposition to the relocation of GITMO detainees to Fort Leavenworth or to any other site on the mainland. Secretary Carter told me that Fort Leavenworth is neither the preferred nor the determined alternative for relocation. The Secretary indicated additional sites will be reviewed,” Roberts said.

“I reminded him of my previous actions in 2009 blocking a transfer of detainees to Ft. Leavenworth, and made clear that I plan to use all tools of the Senate to fight any relocation of terrorists to the mainland.”

Senator Roberts has fought the Obama Administration’s efforts to transfer Guantanamo detainees to the mainland, particularly to Ft. Leavenworth. He has advocated against closing the United States’ current detainment facilities due to the high security risks and economic costs. In 2009, he fought the administration, including legislative holds on nominees, and successfully prevented its plan to consider housing detainees at Ft. Leavenworth.

Senator Roberts has also cosponsored S. 165, The Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act that prohibits for two years the transfer to the United States of detainees designated medium- or high-risk. It would also ban transfers to Yemen, where dozens of the 116 remaining Guantanamo detainees are from.