House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Friday warned that any Obama administration plan to close the terrorist detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay without input from Congress would be a lawless action that goes against the wishes of both members and the American people.
"An overwhelming majority of the American people and bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate oppose importing the terrorists imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay into the United States, yet the White House continues to move forward with its plan," Boehner said. "Even as Islamic jihadists are beheading Americans, the White House is so eager to bring these terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the United States that it is examining ways to thwart Congress and unilaterally re-write the law."
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Friday he opposes President Barack Obama's attempt to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and warned that going around Congress would be the latest example of Obama's "lawlessness." (AP Photo/Molly Riley, File)
"Not only is this scheme dangerous, it is yet another example of what will be this administration's legacy of lawlessness," he added.
The speaker said Republicans have pledged to keep terrorists out of the United States, and would do "everything within our power to keep our pledge and hold the administration accountable."
Boehner was reacting to a report from the Wall Street Journal that said the White House is considering a few options for how it can close the detention facility that many Democrats have long opposed. The Wall Street Journal said Obama may be considering putting out a signing statement on the next defense authorization act that says the president has the authority to decide on the facility's status, even when Congress writes legislation that tries to limit his options.
Boehner also called on Democrats to come out against Obama's plan.
"[E]ach and every Democrat should make their position known," he said. "Do they support the president's maneuver to override a bipartisan law, thumb his nose at the American people and the Constitution, and bring these terrorists to U.S. soil? Or do they stand with the American people and oppose this dangerous plan?"
Republicans have also been fighting Obama's effort to ease immigration rules, potentially allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the United States and work legally.
