Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are raising major concerns on President Obama’s plan to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
At a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday, Reps. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) suggested Guantanamo could remain open if organizations such as Amnesty International and Red Cross were able to witness the situation and given reasons why prisoners are being held.
Some lawmakers have previously expressed reservations about sending Guantanamo detainees to prisons in their states/districts.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) said a long-term strategy for closing Guantanamo Bay must be tackled, pressing Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair on the hot-button issue.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said before sending prisoners elsewhere, a status review of each prisoner should take place.
Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) made similar comments, saying,