WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced a bill that would restrict transfers of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.

The Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act of 2015 would suspend international transfers of high and medium risk detainees, prohibit transfers of Guantanamo detainees to Yemen, extend the current prohibition on transfers to the U.S., and increase transparency regarding risk assessments of the remaining Guantanamo detainees.

“Instead of working with Congress to develop common-sense policies to enable our national security personnel to detain and interrogate terrorists, this Administration continues to irresponsibly release detainees from Guantanamo Bay. Many of these detainees have returned to the battlefields from which they came and are looking for ways to kill Americans and our allies. The detainees that remain at Guantanamo are the worst of the worst, and their continued release will only further damage our national security.  Safety is my utmost concern, and a two year prohibition on transferring the detainees with the highest risk should give Congress and the Administration time to develop a long-term plan for keeping this country safe,” Burr said in a statement.

“The barbaric attacks in France underscore the threat posed by Islamist terrorism and the need for a common sense detention and interrogation policy to gather the intelligence necessary to prevent future attacks.  Unfortunately, to fulfill a misguided campaign promise, the administration seems to be more interested in emptying and closing Guantanamo, rather than protecting the national security interests of the United States and the lives of Americans,” said Ayotte. “This legislation would prevent this administration from transferring the most dangerous detainees to other countries and would prevent detainee transfers to Yemen—the headquarters of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and one of the most dangerous countries on earth.  This legislation would also require greater transparency from the administration regarding what terrorist activities detainees have previously been engaged in and what terrorist groups they are affiliated with.  When the administration transfers a Guantanamo detainee, especially those formerly assessed as a high or medium risk for reengagement in terrorism, the onus is on the administration to explain openly to the American people what has changed.  It is a simple matter of transparency and honesty with the American people.”