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Press Releases
August 13, 2009: Congressman Wittman Warns Against Bringing Terrorists to Newport News
Washington, D.C.,
August 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Rob Wittman today criticized Administration efforts, as reported by the Washington Post, to bring terrorist trials to the Federal Courthouse in Newport News. Wittman also sent a letter today to Attorney General Eric Holder opposing the transfer of any detainees to Newport News and demanding that the Administration clarify their plans for any transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay.
"I remain adamantly opposed to placing terrorists currently held at Guantanamo Bay into this community or anywhere else in Virginia. We cannot afford to take the risk of endangering innocent citizens by housing terrorists in Newport News. The Administration should not endanger my constituents in order to execute an agenda with which the majority of Americans disagree and for which the Administration has not thoroughly planned," said Wittman. "In addition to obvious safety concerns, any terrorist trial would be deeply disruptive to the local community. While the Federal Courthouse is a secure installation, the surrounding buildings are not. The state's largest employer, Northrop Grumman Shipyard, is directly across from the Courthouse. Furthermore, multiple municipal buildings are located in the area and many employees share the Courthouse parking lot," said Wittman. "I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation to prohibit the transfer of terrorists to Virginia and will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that detained terrorists are kept outside of our borders," said Wittman. Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee, where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee |