Press Releases

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“I welcome the President’s submission to Congress of a blueprint to finally shutter the prison at Guantanamo Bay. The continued operation of this prison damages our international standing, provides a propaganda tool for terrorists, and costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year. We have a proven and effective alternative in our federal courts, which have consistently disposed of our most serious terrorism cases. And as the report to Congress makes clear, to the degree that a category of detainees are not suitable for prosecution and must continue to be held for the duration of the conflict under the laws of war, our maximum security prisons or military facilities are more than capable of doing the job.

“It's time for Congress to work with the Administration to put in place a legal regime that works – not block it at every turn – and at the very least to get out of the way and lift the restrictions that make it difficult or impossible to close the Guantanamo prison, once and for all. It will make us safer, it will save us money, and it is the right thing to do."