Press Releases

Yesterday, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Obama reminding him of the legal obligation for the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive detention strategy by February 23, 2016. Chairman Thornberry pointed out several issues of concern as that deadline approaches:

"Press reports suggest that the plan will not include many of the details required by law to be submitted to Congress such as listing the specific U.S. facilities where detainees would be held and a full cost estimate... To be clear, failing to comply with the law would not advance your (the President's) objective of closing the detention facility at GTMO. As the due date approaches, I urge you to ensure that it (the report) provides all of the information required by law."

The specific elements required in the report include the following:

• The specific facility or facilities that are intended to be used to hold individuals.
• The estimated costs associated with the detention of individuals, including the costs of:
  • improvements, additions, or changes to each facility;
  • construction of new facilities, if any;
  • maintenance, operation, and sustainment of any such facility;
  • security;
  • military, civilian, and contractor support personnel; and
  • other matters associated with support of detention operations.
• A plan for the disposition of detainees if the authority to continue detaining an individual were to expire, and an assessment of possible actions that could be taken to mitigate any adverse implications of such a scenario.
• A plan for the disposition of individuals currently detained at GTMO.
• A plan for the disposition of future detainees.
• The additional authorities necessary to detain an individual pending the end of hostilities or a future determination that such individual no longer require continued detention.