Cruz introduces bill to release information on terrorist activities of detainees released from Guantanamo Bay

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently introduced a bill to require the declassification and release of information pertaining to past terrorist activities of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) who have been transferred or released since Nov. 8, 2016.

Cruz said in a statement that former President Barack Obama’s push to empty GTMO was reckless, and that the American people should be made aware of the past terrorist activities committed by the individuals detained there.

Cruz’s bill stems from a 2009 promise made by Obama to close down the detention camp. Congress raised various concerns about that proposal, including the lack of a “viable plan.” The annual National Defense Authorization Act included recurring restrictions on detainee transfers to the United States and a prohibition on the construction of new domestic detention facilities for terrorists.

According to a July report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, approximately 30 percent of all detainees transferred from the GTMO facility have either reengaged in terrorist activities or are suspected of doing so.