WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts’ (R-Kan.) amendment to stop the administration from going around the Congress and the American people by reprogramming funds to transfer the remaining terrorists at Guantanamo Bay to the mainland was included in the National Defense Authorization Act by unanimous consent. The Roberts amendment also prohibits the reprogramming of funds to construct alternative facilities to house the detainees.

“As I have stated time and time again, I will continue to do everything in my legislative power to prevent the administration from sending prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. mainland,” said Roberts. “It has been against the law for years to transfer these prisoners, and I’m proud my language in this bill will go one step further and prohibit the administration from using funds designated for other projects to construct alternative sites on the mainland.

“Americans have made it clear they don’t want terrorists in our communities, yet the administration continues to push to fulfill the president’s campaign promise. The good news for Americans is that the clock has run out, but that will not stop me from taking any action I can to prevent any further action from this administration on this matter.”

“Reprogramming” funding is when an agency seeks flexibility to use funds appropriated to other accounts. Generally agencies must seek the approval of Congress.

Last month, Senator Roberts worked with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) to secure his language in the manager’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense through Fiscal Year 2017. Roberts’ amendment prohibits the reprogramming of funds for the transfer or release of detainees held at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to an alternative site in the United States.

Roberts has led the charge in the Senate against the Obama administration’s attempts to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the prisoners to the U.S. mainland, in particular Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, a site that has been surveyed by Department of Defense officials. Ft. Leavenworth is the home to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, which houses U.S. military prisoners, and 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.

In March, Roberts introduced a Senate resolution formally rejecting President Obama’s plan to transfer prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities to an alternative location in American communities. Last month, the Senate also passed legislation prohibiting the construction of alternative sites for the relocation of Guantanamo Bay.

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.