WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter requesting a copy of the results of the Department’s site survey at the Disciplinary Barracks located at Fort Leavenworth.

“As a representative of Leavenworth County, I believe it is very important that the Department of Defense shares their survey results with our community,” said Congresswoman Jenkins. “The folks of Leavenworth County would be most impacted should the detention center at Guantanamo Bay close and the remaining terrorists be transferred to Fort Leavenworth. Decisions that could endanger American lives and have a very detrimental impact on the local community and military installation require openness, not secrecy. I urge the President and his Administration to be fully transparent in their plans to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.”

The following is the full text of the letter:

January 22, 2016

The Honorable Ashton Carter
Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20301

Dear Secretary Carter:

            It was reported on January 14, 2016, that you are preparing to submit a report to the President on a plan to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Many of those reports quote you as saying: "That plan will propose bringing those detainees to an appropriate, secure location in the United States.” One of those potential sites is the Disciplinary Barracks located at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. As part of your efforts to develop that plan, the Department of the Defense undertook site surveys of the three potential locations, including Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. As the Member of the House of Representatives representing Leavenworth County, I request a copy of the results of that survey.    

            I appreciate your understanding of the impact this plan and its potential implementation may have on my constituents and other residents of the great state of Kansas. I further appreciate your prompt reply, including a copy of your detailed report regarding the plan to close the Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay and subsequent transfer of its detainees to the United States.

Sincerely,

Lynn Jenkins, CPA

Member of Congress

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