Terrorists Are Not Welcome

Throughout our nation’s history, the people of the United States have not taken attacks on their freedom lightly. The deliberate terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten by the American people. Even considering transporting self-confessed September 11th mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators to the U.S. for trial in a New York City civilian court is a blatant disregard to the safety of all Americans.

To prevent the Obama Administration from granting these war criminals the same judicial due process rights of Americans citizens, I have joined with my fellow Texan, Congressman Louie Gohmert, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4127.

H.R. 4127 would amend the Military Commissions Act of 2009 to make it mandatory that all “alien unprivileged enemy belligerents,” be tried for either a term of incarceration or death and stand trial in a constitutionally established military commission rather than a civilian court. These “alien unprivileged enemy belligerents” would include any detainees in Guantanamo facing trial.

So often we forget the sound principles of our nation. If we look to the Constitution for guidance, we will find the best path for bringing these foreign terrorists to trial. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution provides Congress with the authority to establish tribunals and such military commissions. In fact, it is Congress, not the President or Supreme Court, that is given complete authority to establish all courts and their jurisdictions that are inferior to the Supreme Court under Article III, Sections 1 & 2.

As a Member of Congress, I took an oath to protect American citizens against all enemies, foreign and domestic. This legislation is an important step in doing just that. There is no clear reason why these terrorists should be brought anywhere in the United States. Foreign terrorists who violently attack our nation have no claim to the same Constitutional rights of the American people that they sought to destroy. One step on American soil is simply one step too far. I will do all that I can in Congress to protect our nation’s safety and uphold our own inalienable rights under the Constitution.