Washington, D.C.— Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement in response to the passage of H.R. 5351, which he co-sponsored, that would prohibit the transfer of any detainees from United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay.

“President Obama was sworn into office with the predetermined mission of closing the Guantanamo Bay detainment facility. Before ordering an investigation to be conducted or even seeing the naval station firsthand in his new position as Commander in Chief, this reckless agenda was already decided.

“The Obama Administration has taken a reckless approach to admonishing some of the most dangerous terrorists who have ever stepped foot on U.S. soil. Over 30% of prisoners released from Guantanamo have returned to the battlefield. It is unfathomable to me that a discussion is even needed about transferring these detainees, who were brought to Guantanamo for serious reason—the least of which is direct involvement in plotting or executing deadly attacks against the United States and our allies.

“For the last seven years, Congress has explicitly rejected the President’s irresponsible path to closing the detainment facility. I am proud to stand with fellow members of the House of Representatives in defense of Americans and the processes on which this country was built.”

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