Scott on Gitmo: US “built a world-class, one-of-a-kind facility in a remote location hundreds of miles away”

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) continues his strong efforts to keep Gitmo detainees at Gitmo.  As part of his efforts, last week he traveled with Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to review detention operations at Guantanamo as well as meet with American troops serving at the facility.  Earlier today, he discussed his trip with WMTA’s Morning Show with Charlie James.

Listen to Senator Scott discuss from this morning his recent trip to the Guantanamo Bay with WMTA’s Morning Show with Charlie James HERE.
                                                                                                                              

What They Are Saying About Senator Scott’s Ongoing Efforts to Keep Gitmo Detainees at Gitmo 

Post and Courier: “Scott opposes any transfer to the U.S., but especially to the brig, saying the community is too vulnerable and that duplicating security to hold terror suspects would be costly. The brig is currently labeled medium security, holding military offenders for sentences of 10 years or less. Republicans insist the president cannot move the inmates without congressional approval.” [Schuyler Kropf, “Sen. Tim Scott to visit Guantanamo Bay terrorist prison site,” Post and Courier, 10/24/15] 

Daily Mail: Senator Kelly Ayotte, Tim Scott and Shelley Moore Capito “argue that Guantanamo in Cuba is the only viable option, especially for terror detainees deemed too dangerous to release or transfer to third countries. At a news conference, Ayotte, Scott and Capito insisted that Guantanamo should remain open. […]The Republican lawmakers rejected the idea of moving the terror suspects to US facilities.”  [Jenny Stanton, “Ban on female Guantanamo Bay guards transferring Muslim detainees who insisted being around women 'violates their beliefs' sparks outrage,” Daily Mail, 10/28/15]

The Hill: “Scott, who was vocal when the Pentagon did a similar inspection at the Naval Consolidated Brig in his home state, said the Colorado sites under consideration also put Americans at risk.” [Rebecca Kheel, “GOP senator: Guantanamo a 'top-rate' facility,” The Hill, 10/27/15]

Reuters: “Republican Senators Kelly Ayotte, Shelley Moore Capito and Tim Scott praised Guantanamo on Tuesday as the best place to hold dangerous detainees.” [Patricia Zengerle, “U.S. budget deal could complicate plans to close Guantanamo,” Reuters, 10/27/15]

Associated Press: “At a news conference, Ayotte, Scott and Capito insisted that Guantanamo should remain open. Ayotte also called on the administration to speak out on the guard issue, saying “terrorists should not dictate what men and women can do when serving in the military.” [“Muslim beliefs should not govern guards at Guantanamo: US,” Associated Press, 8/28/15] 

The Hill: “Three Republican senators reiterated their stance on Tuesday against closing the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base following a visit last week that they said showed the “professionalism” at the “top-rate” facility.” [Rebecca Kheel, “GOP senator: Guantanamo a 'top-rate' facility,” The Hill, 10/27/15]

Fox News: “Female soldiers serving at Guantanamo Bay are not being allowed to transport inmates following a court order issued in response to prisoners who complained on religious grounds, according to Republican senators who recently returned from a visit to the prison camp.  Inmates apparently complained the female soldiers' actions were an insult to their Islamic faith, but the senators blasted the court decision as an "insult to women."” [“Senators blast order barring female guards from transporting Gitmo inmates” FOX NEWS, 10/27/15] 

Associated Press: “A Defense Department team is scheduled to visit facilities to hold the terror suspects in the United States, including the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City and the so-called Supermax federal prison in Florence, Colorado. The Pentagon team also has surveyed the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Naval Consolidated Brig in Charleston, South Carolina. […]The Republican lawmakers rejected the idea of moving the terror suspects to US facilities.” [“Muslim beliefs should not govern guards at Guantanamo: US,” Associated Press, 8/28/15]

WCSC: “Senator Scott went on to commend the actions of the men and women who work there, or rather, the lack of action when assaulted.  “Over 250 assaults have been made against the guards, not one, not one single retaliation. And the splashing episode, if you really understand and appreciate what splashing is, you understand how much character and restraint our guards really have.”” [Karina Bolster, “Sen. Scott calls trip to Gitmo "fascinating experience," WCSC, 8/27/15]

Post and Courier: “Following his one-day tour of the terrorist holding camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott said he’s more convinced than ever that the site should remain open.” [Schuyler Kropf, “U.S. Sen. Tim Scott: Guantanamo is where terror suspects should stay,” Post and Courier, 10/24/15]

WCSC: “Senator Scott said bringing those prisoners elsewhere could pose a threat to American civilians.  “It was certainly a fascinating experience and opportunity for me to understand and appreciate why Guantanamo Bay is the only location on earth for these enemy combatants to stay. Frankly, when you think about the location of Gitmo, it is an isolated location, surrounded by water, mountains and a desert. So this is a location where you want the world’s worst terrorists without any question.”” [Karina Bolster, “Sen. Scott calls trip to Gitmo "fascinating experience," WCSC, 8/27/15]

Post and Courier: “During the trip, Scott said, he was able to get within a few feet of some of the prisoners but they were not able to see him.  Scott also spoke in support of the guards at the site, saying there had been more than 250 assaults on them without retaliation.  One preferred method the prisoners use is called “splashing,” which includes throwing feces, urine and vomit at guards, he said.” [Schuyler Kropf, “U.S. Sen. Tim Scott: Guantanamo is where terror suspects should stay,” Post and Courier, 10/24/15]

Union Leader (NH): “During their visit, Ayotte and U.S. Senators Tim Scott, R-SC, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, met with women guards at Guantanamo and discussed how this court order is negatively affecting operations, inhibiting their ability to compete successfully for promotion, and damaging morale.” [“Ayotte: Gitmo female guards 'just want to do their jobs'” Union Leader, 10/27/15]

Post and Courier: “He referred to the visit as a fact-finding tour that would specifically look at the cost of replicating the security currently in existence in Gitmo in the United States. “Not just in dollars and cents,” said Scott, R-S.C., but in overall national security.” [Schuyler Kropf, “Sen. Tim Scott to visit Guantanamo Bay terrorist prison site,” Post and Courier, 10/24/15]

Senator Scott has also written an editorial for Post & Courier and an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, which he co-authored with Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS). Learn more about what they are saying about Senator Scott’s efforts to keep Gitmo Detainees out of South Carolina HERE.

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