Lewis Statement on the Narrow Defeat of his Amendment to Close Guantanamo

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House today narrowly defeated House Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis’s amendment to prevent the closure of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.  The amendment failed by a vote of 213-212.

 

Lewis made the following statement on the close vote:

 

“It appears that at least several dozen Democratic Members of Congress agree with Republicans and the majority of the American people that closing Guantanamo is a dangerous and ill-conceived proposition. I thank these Democrats for their support of my amendment.

 

‘This is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed before any more prisoners are released or transferred. This vote proves that there are many in Congress that are willing to stand up – even against their own President – to do the right thing for the security of our homeland and the protection of our people.

 

‘These detainees are a serious threat to the U.S. and our allies. People around the world are concerned about these transfers and releases and what it means for their safety and security – as evidenced by the large public protests in Bermuda over the release of 4 Uigher detainees into their country.”