Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), along with a bipartisan collection of Senators, announced a bill Tuesday to deny federal funding for the trials of 9/11 conspirators if they take place in a New York City civilian court.
"Why in the world would this country take the people who planned 9/11, put them in the middle of 8 million people in New York City, less than 2 miles from where they attacked the country, and think that's a good thing?" Graham asked.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) expressed concern over the heavy financial burden the trials could pose to taxpayers, saying that costs could be in the millions.
"The president's budget that was released yesterday shows how much these decisions will cost American tax payers. In the budget, the Justice Department has given almost $75 million to assist with transferring prosecutions of Guantanamo detainees," said Lieberman.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) stressed that a military tribunal was the only solution to the problem.
"The fact is, we should not try these people in New York, we shouldn't try them in Illinios, we shouldn't try them in Pheonix. We should try them in a court room, in Guantanamo Bay, and we should try them according to the military commission's act. That's the frost and intent of this legislation," said McCain.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) agreed that it is inappropriate to try the terrorists in major cities due to their war criminal identities.
"I believe these individuals are war criminals," said Lincoln. "Trying these conspirators in civilian court is giving them a public stage to advocate their cause. Carrying out the civilian trials also has the potential, I think, to compromise classified intelligence and put our national security at great risk."
Bill To Cut Off Funding For Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed Trial Finds Bipartisan Support
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), along with a bipartisan collection of Senators, announced a bill Tuesday to deny federal funding for the trials of 9/11 conspirators if they take place in a New York City civilian court.
"Why in the world would this country take the people who planned 9/11, put them in the middle of 8 million people in New York City, less than 2 miles from where they attacked the country, and think that's a good thing?" Graham asked.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) expressed concern over the heavy financial burden the trials could pose to taxpayers, saying that costs could be in the millions.
"The president's budget that was released yesterday shows how much these decisions will cost American tax payers. In the budget, the Justice Department has given almost $75 million to assist with transferring prosecutions of Guantanamo detainees," said Lieberman.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) stressed that a military tribunal was the only solution to the problem.
"The fact is, we should not try these people in New York, we shouldn't try them in Illinios, we shouldn't try them in Pheonix. We should try them in a court room, in Guantanamo Bay, and we should try them according to the military commission's act. That's the frost and intent of this legislation," said McCain.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) agreed that it is inappropriate to try the terrorists in major cities due to their war criminal identities.
"I believe these individuals are war criminals," said Lincoln. "Trying these conspirators in civilian court is giving them a public stage to advocate their cause. Carrying out the civilian trials also has the potential, I think, to compromise classified intelligence and put our national security at great risk."