Tiahrt: No Welfare for Terrorists

Kansas Rep. Todd Tiahrt today promoted an up-or-down vote in the House Appropriations Committee to deny terrorists released from Guantanamo Bay any federal or state support. This issue is especially relevant due to the Chinese Uighar jihadists (flush with government assistance) that the Obama Administration plans to release into the Virginia suburbs. He was joined by Frank Gaffney, Colin Hanna (Let Freedom Ring) and Rosemary Jenks (Numbers USA).

For more information on this issue, see Frank Gaffney’s video commentary.

Congressman Tiahrt’s press release

Tiahrt Fights Obama Administration Efforts to Bring Terrorist Detainees to U.S., Provide Welfare Benefits

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) issued the following statement following his press conference with Frank Gaffney, founder and president of the Center for Security Policy; Colin A. Hanna, president of Let Freedom Ring; and Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations for NumbersUSA. Tiahrt, Gaffney, Hanna and Jenks spoke of the need to keep terrorist detainees out of the United States and highlighted an amendment Tiahrt will be offering to the FY2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill Thursday. They also discussed legislation Tiahrt is introducing called the No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2009 that prohibits any detainee being held at Guantanamo Bay from receiving welfare benefits paid for by taxpayer dollars. Tiahrt is a senior Republican on the House Appropriations Committee.
 
“We are trying to keep terrorists off American soil not welcome them with welfare benefits,” said Tiahrt. “I will be giving the House Appropriations Committee a chance to take a stand on this issue tomorrow when I offer an amendment prohibiting the transfer of any detainee held at Guantanamo Bay to the United States.

“We do not want terrorists coming to Kansas, to New York or any other state. Keeping terrorists away from our communities and families is the goal, and I look forward to the opportunity we have tomorrow in the Appropriations Committee to ensure these detainees are not brought to our country.”

“President Obama has made a terrible mistake by closing the most secure, state-of-the-art detention and interrogation facility in the world — without knowing what will be done with the unlawful combatants currently incarcerated there,” said Gaffney.  “Incredibly, he is reportedly about to compound that mistake by transferring at least some of the detainees here. Congressman Tiahrt’s amendment, which would prohibit such transfers, may be the difference between life and death for potentially large numbers of people in this country.  It should enjoy strong support from both Democrats and Republicans.”

“As a citizen, the prospect of Gitmo detainees being released into the country they threatened is deeply troubling,” said Hanna. “As a taxpayer, the prospect that they might receive benefits paid for by the American people is outrageous to contemplate. Congressman Tiahrt’s efforts would ensure that this never happens.”

“To bring these detainees back to the United States – for any reason – let alone to release them into our communities, is a slap in the face to our armed services,” said Jenks. “It is also a slap in the face to all Americans who have supported fighting the war and who know what happens when our immigration system is used to bring terrorists into the Unites States as it was prior to 9-11.”

“In addition to our efforts in the Appropriations Committee, I will be introducing legislation called the No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2009 that prohibits any detainee being held at Guantanamo Bay from receiving welfare benefits that a citizen of the United States could receive,” said Tiahrt.

“The Obama administration has indicated detainees released in the United States would likely receive government assistance to help them return to society. Given the history of previously-released detainees who return to the battlefield intent on killing American soldiers, releasing these people into our society is a terrible idea. I am committed to ensuring we do everything possible to prevent this from happening.”

Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair has indicated that detainees released in the U.S. would likely receive government assistance to help them return to society — one they have never been a part of. According to a news report, Blair said last month, “If we are to release them in the United States, we need some sort of assistance for them to start a new life. You can’t just put them on the street.”

The No Welfare for Terrorists Act will be officially introduced in the House by Tiahrt in the coming days and can be viewed by going to www.tiahrt.house.gov and clicking Legislative Resources.