WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, today released the following statement regarding the passage of H.Res. 644, which condemns the Obama administration’s failure to comply with the law when releasing five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Qatar:
“I stand with my colleagues in the House in condemning the Obama administration’s decision to negotiate with terrorists and release five senior Taliban leaders from GTMO without notifying Congress. This action was in direct violation of federal law. Laws are established for a purpose – in this case to ensure the national security of the United States. The president himself acknowledged there is ‘absolutely’ a possibility these terrorists leaders will try to return to activities that are detrimental to us. One of the five released detainees has already reportedly pledged to return to fight Americans in Afghanistan and will most certainly re-group with Taliban Leader Mullah Omar, one of our biggest enemies in the region. By circumventing Congress, this administration silenced the voice of the American people and put American lives at risk.”
