{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://lynnjenkins.house.gov/press-releases/jenkins-pompeo-call-on-defense-secretary-carter-to-facilitate-visit-to-guantanamo-bay-for-leavenworth-officials/", "Jenkins, Pompeo Call on Defense Secretary Carter to Facilitate Visit to Guantanamo Bay for Leavenworth Officials", "2015-11-09", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Lynn Jenkins", "J000290", "lynnjenkins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kansas Representatives Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) and Mike Pompeo (KS-04) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter regarding the Obama administration\u2019s misguided effort to move the world\u2019s most dangerous terrorists at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) to sites around the United States, potentially including Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.\u00a0In the letter, Jenkins and Pompeo call on Carter to arrange a group of federal, state, and local officials from Leavenworth to visit GTMO.\u00a0 The lawmakers call for the group to receive unclassified briefings on known threats and be granted as much access to information about the detainees as possible, in order to adequately understand the increased threats that would come with moving these terrorists to Fort Leavenworth.\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the letter is below or may be found here.\r\n\r\n\tNovember 9, 2015\r\n\r\n\tThe Honorable Ashton B. Carter\r\n\r\n\tSecretary of Defense\r\n\r\n\t1000 Defense Pentagon\r\n\r\n\tWashington, DC 23301-1000\r\n\r\n\tDear Secretary Carter:\r\n\r\n\tPresident Obama and his Administration appear to be intent on pursuing a deeply misguided policy of emptying the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) and transferring the detainees to prisons in the United States.\u00a0 We view this as a grave strategic error, and strongly oppose these terrorists being relocated to anywhere in the United States.\u00a0 GTMO is unique in its capability to hold the world\u2019s most dangerous terrorists in an environment that is humane and safe for both detainees and guards.\u00a0 As you know, GTMO has also been a huge success for our intelligence community.\r\n\r\n\tOne potential destination for the terrorists currently held at GTMO is the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.\u00a0 If the detainees are transferred there, the dire consequences of this move will be felt by Leavenworth and the surrounding communities long after the end of the current administration.\u00a0 It will be the state and local officials who will be left to deal the predictable aftermath that comes with bringing these detainees to the Leavenworth community, such as an increased risk of terror attacks and a severe strain on our relationships with allied military commanders.\u00a0 It is critical that officials and residents have a complete understanding of what may be foisted upon them before a final decision is reached.\r\n\r\n\tTo that end, we strongly request your assistance in arranging a delegation of federal, state, and local officials from the Leavenworth area to travel to GTMO to observe the camp and its detainees and its safety measures.\u00a0 We believe that state legislators, county commissioners, mayors, and other local officials have the right to completely understand what their communities will face.\u00a0 These officials need to visit the GTMO facility, receive unclassified briefings of known threats, and be given as much access to information regarding the detainees as is feasible.\r\n\r\n\tAs it appears that a plan for closing GTMO may be released in the coming days, it is critical that this visit take place as soon as possible.\u00a0 We look forward to your timely response.\r\n\r\n\tSincerely,\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://lynnjenkins.house.gov/press-releases/jenkins-pompeo-call-on-defense-secretary-carter-to-facilitate-visit-to-guantanamo-bay-for-leavenworth-officials/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5472599770873785, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}