U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) issued the following statement after President Obama announced his plan to close Guantanamo Bay:

“If carried out, President Obama’s plan will put the American people at risk. It is unfathomable that President Obama wants to transfer any of the 91 detainees from Guantanamo Bay into the mainland of our country. These are not just ordinary prisoners; these are terrorists who have waged war upon America, her people, and our values. Not only is the president’s plan dangerous, it runs contrary to the law and the president’s own advisors have even voiced their concerns about it. The House stands ready and prepared to take legal action if President Obama decides to move forward with this irresponsible plan.”

In 2015 President Obama signed into law the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act and the Omnibus Appropriations package, both of which included provisions prohibiting the transfer of Guantanamo prisoners to American soil.