Sen. Ted Cruz filed legislation on Friday that blocks any further releases of Guantanamo prisoners until the Obama administration first explains its May exchange of five Taliban operatives for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
“Americans need to know how the Obama Administration thinks it has made our nation safer by negotiating with terrorists to release these five dangerous terrorist leaders,” the Texas Republican said in a press release. “Until President Obama can make his case and convince the American public that this swap was in our national interest, prudence dictates that all further transfers and releases from Guantanamo Bay should be off the table.”
The legislation will “prohibit any funds from being spent on transferring or releasing Guantanamo detainees until either 90 days after submitting a report to Congress that justifies the release of the Taliban 5, or 180 days after this bill is signed into law,” the press release said. It also prohibits any future prisoners transfers without written authorization from the president.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who co-sponsored the bill, said the administration should not be releasing prisoners who pose a threat of returning to the battlefield.
“Our common sense legislation would suspend the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to other countries until Congress can get more answers regarding the recent transfer of the Taliban Five,” she said.
The bill demands that a report be submitted to Congress that assesses whether the five terrorists released May 31 would reengage in terrorist activities, return to Afghanistan, or increase the likelihood that more kidnappings will take place in order for terrorists to barter with the U.S.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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