WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Thursday announced that the Senate approved the Military Construction Appropriations bill (H.R.2577), which again prohibits the closure of the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station and prohibits funding for construction of any facility within the U.S. to house detainees. Senator Roberts voted in favor of the measure which was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate with a vote of 89-8.

“Again, the Congress acknowledges the concerns of the American people and stops the Obama administration from spending funds to house terrorists held at Guantanamo in an American community,” Roberts said. “Although the clock may have run out on the president, I will continue to oppose his ongoing attempts to transfer the detainees at every opportunity.”

Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, is the home to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, which houses military prisoners and has been considered a possible site to house detainees. It is against the law for enemy combatants to be housed with members of the U.S. military. Fort Leavenworth is also home to the Command and General Staff College, the Intellectual Center of the Army, where all Army officers study. The post is located in the town of Leavenworth, Kansas.

In March, Roberts introduced a Senate resolution formally rejecting President Obama’s plan to transfer prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities to an alternate location in American communities. The resolution is cosponsored by Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Roberts is the most senior Marine in the Congress. He was Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2003-2007. He has visited Guantanamo Bay twice.