Press Releases | Page 51 | Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

Walorski Demands Answers Regarding Guantanamo Detainees Transferred to State Sponsors of Terrorism

Writes Second Letter in almost three months requesting information on security threats of Guantanamo Bay Detainees

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jackie Walorski, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, wrote to President Obama for the second time in almost three months, requesting additional information on the alarming number of Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility detainees who have been transferred to countries and are reportedly re-engaging in terrorist activities.

On December 15, Walorski wrote to the president requesting a classified briefing to obtain additional information regarding security assurances with countries where detainees are released. As of today, the president has failed to provide any response to her requests.

Last week, Hamed Abderrahaman Ahmed, a former detainee who was transferred to Spain, was arrested for recruiting fighters for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Two days later, Ibrahim al-Qosi, a former detainee that was transferred to Sudan, released a message on Thursday encouraging jihad in Somalia.

In the letter Walorski wrote, “Recidivism is clearly a very real issue, but seems to be underestimated by your administration… The recently-released Plan for Closing the Guantánamo Bay Detention Facility states that the U.S. government obtains security assurances and humane treatment assurances from a country before transferring a detainee. Among the security assurances are restrictions on travel, monitoring of the detainee, and periodic information sharing. However, al-Qosi is currently operating out of Yemen. Obviously, there was a breakdown in these security assurances.”

The letter in its entirety is included below or can be read here.

March 1, 2016

Dear President Obama:

I am writing to follow up on a letter I sent on December 15, 2015 regarding your policy on the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and questions surrounding the problem of recidivism. I am extremely disappointed that, two-and-a-half months later, I have not received any response. I am also troubled by the lack of detail in your recent Plan for Closing the Guantánamo Bay Detention Facility released last week, which provided no clarity on the issues raised in the letter either.

Last week alone, Hamed Abderrahaman Ahmed, a former detainee that was transferred to Spain, was arrested on Tuesday, February 23 for recruiting fighters for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Two days later, Ibrahim al-Qosi, a former detainee that was transferred to Sudan, released a message on Thursday encouraging jihad in Somalia. He had also urged his followers to carry out attacks on New Years Eve celebrations, particularly in New York City and Paris. Recidivism is clearly a very real issue, but seems to be underestimated by your administration.

In my December 15 letter, I had specifically raised the case of Ibrahim al-Qosi who is now a senior leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which took credit for the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January 2015. He was also, curiously, transferred to a country that is designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the U.S. State Department.

The recently-released Plan for Closing the Guantánamo Bay Detention Facility states that the U.S. government obtains security assurances and humane treatment assurances from a country before transferring a detainee. Among the security assurances are restrictions on travel, monitoring of the detainee, and periodic information sharing. However, al-Qosi is currently operating out of Yemen. Obviously, there was a breakdown in these security assurances.

Thus, I want to reiterate my request for a classified briefing that covers the questions raised in my December 15 letter, which I am enclosing. I would also like the briefing to address these additional questions:

1.Security assurances your administration received from the government of Sudan before the transfer of Ibrahim al-Qosi

2.The frequency and type of monitoring agreed to by the government of Sudan on Ibrahim al-Qosi and measures taken by the U.S. government to verify that this monitoring was taking place

3.The frequency and type of information shared by the government of Sudan on Ibrahim al-Qosi, his whereabouts, and his activities after his transfer

4.The date that the government of Sudan informed the U.S. government that Ibrahim al-Qosi was no longer in Sudan

5.Any punitive measures taken against the government of Sudan or members of the government in connection with its failure to live up to its commitments regarding the transfer of Ibrahim al-Qosi

6.Humane treatment assurances your administration received from the government of Sudan, whose head of state, Omar al-Bashir, has an arrest warrant pending with the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, before the transfer of Ibrahim al-Qosi

7.Questions 1, 2, 3, and 6 as they pertain to the two other detainees your administration transferred to Sudan: Noor Uthman Muhammed and Ibrahim Othman Ibrahim Idris

8.Questions 4 and 5 as they pertain to Noor Uthman Muhammed and Ibrahim Othman Ibrahim Idris if they are no longer in Sudan

9.Any extra security and humane treatment assurances your administration seeks from countries that are on the U.S. State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism

10.Any ongoing negotiations with the governments of Iran and Sudan regarding future transfer of Guantánamo detainees

Transferring Guantánamo detainees – known terrorists – to countries that are State Sponsors of Terrorism is an incredibly dangerous and misguided policy. No reasonable person should trust these governments to follow through on any promises they make to ensure detainees do not rejoin the battle. I strongly urge you not to complete any future transfers to these countries and I look forward to your timely response to my request for a briefing.

Sincerely,

JACKIE WALORSKI

Member of Congress

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District in Indiana, where she serves as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee, and House Committee on Agriculture.

Walorski Supports Legislation to Protect 2nd Amendment Rights

WASHINGTON – Rep. Jackie Walorski issued the following statement after supporting legislation in the House that would protect and increase opportunities for recreational hunting, shooting, and fishing:

“As an avid outdoorsman, proud gun owner, and a member of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, one of my priorities in Congress is to protect our outdoors and public lands and to ensure that they can be enjoyed by all,” Walorski said. “For decades, anti-hunting organizations have used the courts to block hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on public lands that could, and should, be open. Not only will this commonsense legislation protect our hunters’ Constitutional rights, but it will also expand hunting access on millions of acres of public land.”

H.R. 2406, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, would require the Federal Public Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Lands to open its land to these activities unless federal wildlife managers find cause to close them.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 242-161 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Walorski Honors Saint Mary’s College President Carol Mooney with ‘Who’s Who in IN-02’

Weekly initiative highlights a local Hoosier or business for notable achievements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) announced this week’s honoree for her ‘Who’s Who in IN-02’ initiative. During a speech on the House floor earlier today, Walorski thanked Carol Mooney for her service as President of Saint Mary’s College.

President Mooney, who was first appointed to lead Saint Mary’s College in 2004, is set to retire later this year after having accomplished a number of remarkable achievements during her tenure as president. She is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College and its first lay alumna president and spearheaded Saint Mary’s most successful fundraising campaign, Faith Always, Action Now, which raised over $105 million in gifts and pledges and has overseen the steady expansion of both undergraduate and graduate programs.

“For the last twelve years, President Mooney has been beloved by her peers and praised for strengthening the fiscal and academic standings of Saint Mary’s College,” Walorski said. “Her work has directly impacted the lives of students on campus, providing them with the highest quality education possible. On behalf of the people of Indiana’s Second Congressional District, I thank President Mooney for her commitment to improving the state of our community and society at large and wish her all the best as she enters retirement later this year.”

Walorski honored President Mooney as part of her ‘Who’s Who in IN-02’ initiative. Each week, Walorski will highlight notable Hoosiers, companies, and organizations that are making valuable contributions in the Second Congressional District.

Watch Walorski’s floor speech here.

Walorski’s Legislation to Prevent Veterans Opioid Abuse Passes Committee

Would Require VA facilities participate in Statewide Drug Monitoring Program

WASHINGTON – Today the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed Rep. Jackie Walorski’s (IN-02), language requiring all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in Indiana and across the nation to participate in their respective state’s drug monitoring program.

The statewide system currently requires other doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners to check patient records before prescribing painkillers, with pharmacists responsible for recording related prescriptions they fill. Each VA may choose whether to participate in their statewide prescription drug database at their discretion, but are not required by law to do so. Walorski’s language would change that option to a requirement.

“Indiana is in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic,” Walorski said. “It’s alarming that Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities are not required by law to report the amount of powerful drugs and opiates they prescribe.”

Last December, in Walorski’s home state of Indiana, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) began an investigation of a VAMC in Marion, Indiana. The DEA’s warrant revealed that the Marion facility purchased more powerful prescription drugs than any other VA facility in the Northern District of Indiana.

“Without the VA’s participation, there’s a glaring void in reporting that leaves veterans, already at an increased risk of abuse, even more vulnerable. My language ensures the VA follows the same rules and regulations as all other doctors and pharmacists to ensure veterans don’t abuse prescription drugs. I’m committed to increasing oversight and transparency over VA doctors to allow us to more closely monitor if veterans are being improperly treated.”

Watch Walorski’s remarks here.

Walorski’s language was approved by voice vote and amended into H.R. 4063 and now heads to the full House for further consideration.

Walorski: Obama GITMO Plan is Lose-Lose for Americans

WASHINGTON – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the Obama administration’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay prison:

“The plan put forward today by President Obama is a lose-lose proposition for Americans. The paltry lack of detail proves that the president is only concerned with fulfilling a campaign promise instead of confronting the threats facing our nation. Not only does moving the worst of the worst Guantanamo detainees to U.S. soil endanger Americans but transferring detainees abroad gives them an opportunity to return to the battlefield, putting our troops’ lives at risk. There are real questions about recidivism – just today there are news reports that a released detainee was arrested in Morocco while recruiting for ISIS – but the administration’s answer is only vague promises of ‘trust us’. That is not enough assurance for me or for the American people.”

Walorski Statement on Indiana Global Business Center Announcement from Planned Dow, Dupont Merger

MISHAWAKA, IND. – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) issued the following statement after news that DowDupont will located its Global Business Center in Indiana:

“Indiana’s agriculture industry continues to lead the nation in innovation and ingenuity,” Walorski said. “With a Global Business Center in Indiana, it will only further our progress and development of Hoosier farmers as they continue to make advancements in our industry in partnership with DowDupont.”

Yesterday, DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company announced the U.S. site structure for the global agriculture leader the companies intend to create following the planned separation of DowDupont into three independent, publicly traded companies. The corporate headquarters for the Agriculture company will be located in Wilmington, Delaware, and will include the office of the CEO and key corporate support functions. Sites in Indianapolis and Johnston, Iowa, will also serve as Global Business Centers, with leadership of business lines, business support functions, R&D, global supply chain, and sales and marketing capabilities concentrated in the two Midwest locations.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District in Indiana, where she serves as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.

Walorski Concludes ‘Who’s Who’ Tour in Mishawaka

Tour also included stops in Rochester, Knox and LaPorte

MISHAWAKA – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) today conducted a tour throughout Indiana’s Second Congressional District to recognize recipients of her ‘Who’s Who in IN-02’ initiative. Since July, Walorski has highlighted notable Hoosiers, companies, and organizations making valuable contributions in the Second Congressional District.

“Our district is full of amazing people who are doing some pretty incredible things,” Walorski said. “Today was a small way for me to personally thank recipients for their outstanding achievements in our community.”

Over the course of the day, Walorski visited with a number of recipients including:

Harry Webb, in Rochester, who along with the Citizens Action Committee, has partnered with local and state officials and pharmacies to reduce sales of pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in meth. Watch Walorski honor Webb on the House floor.
David Lawson, in Rochester, a volunteer firefighter who last month to save a family from a burning home. Watch Walorski honor Lawson on the House floor.
Ron Gifford, in Knox, the Director of the Starke County Initiative for Lifelong Learning Center who has dedicated his life’s work to creating a trained and skilled workforce for northern Indiana. Watch Walorski honoring Gifford on the House floor.
Paula Nichols, in LaPorte, the Director of the South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative for her work to provide services to students with disabilities. Watch Walorski honor Nichols on the House floor.
Beiger Bots Team at Beiger Elementary School, in Mishawaka, for winning their FIRST Lego League State Championship. Watch Walorksi honor the Beiger Bots team on the House floor.

“I’m continuously amazed by what local Hoosiers in my district accomplish each day,” Walorski said. “None of these people do what they do for recognition, they do it for the greater good and today I wanted to highlight their work to not only improve our communities, but make life better for us all.”

Click here to view photos from Walorski’s ‘Who’s Who’ tour.

‘Who’s Who’ Tour in Mishawaka

Walorski recognizes recipients of her weekly ‘Who’s Who’ initiative. From L to R, First Row: Walorski with Paula Nichols, Director of the South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative; Walorski with Ron Gifford, Director of SCILL (third from feft); Walorski with the Beiger Bots team from Beiger Elementary. 2nd Row: Walorski with David Lawson, volunteer firefighter at Rochester Fire Department (third from left); Walorski with Harry Webb (fourth from left).

Walorski Statement On The Passing Of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) issued the following statement upon the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia:

“Today, Americans mourn the loss of Justice Scalia, a true patriot and one of the greatest defenders of the Constitution and conservative values. Dean and I send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, family, and friends.”

Walorski Votes to Sanction North Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after supporting legislation to broaden sanctions against North Korea.

“North Korea must be held accountable for its growing aggression,” Walorski said. “Today Congress sent a clear message to North Korea that reckless and immature behavior by the North Korean government will not be tolerated.”

H.R. 757, the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, targets North Korea’s ability to access funding needed for developing miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range missiles to deliver them.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 408-2 and passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the president for further consideration.

BACKGROUND

On January 6, North Korea conducted a subterranean nuclear weapons test, claiming to have detonated a hydrogen bomb for the first time. On February 7, North Korea launched a long-range rocket it said was carrying a satellite but which Western officials believe was a test of ballistic missile technology.

In his annual assessment of global threats, Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper on Tuesday said North Korea has expanded a uranium enrichment facility and restarted a plutonium reactor that could start recovering material for nuclear weapons in weeks or months.

Walorski Votes to Support Easing Nutrition Labeling for Restaurants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Nutrition, today issued the following statement after supporting legislation to ease nutrition labeling requirements for restaurants and stores originally imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The menu labeling regulations released by the FDA are impractical and unnecessarily expensive,” Walorski said. “Forcing our hardworking businesses to spend money and countless hours adhering to the complicated rules is the biggest misuse of their time. Instead, they should be focused on creating jobs and strengthening our economy – not on paperwork. This commonsense legislation will simplify the overcomplicated rules mandated by yet another federal government agency that has run amok.”

H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act, would limit FDA regulations requiring restaurants with twenty or more locations to display calorie counts and nutrition information. It would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue new rules to allow a food establishment to post nutritional information exclusively on its website if the majority of its orders are placed online, and aims to protect establishments from being sued for human error.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 266-144 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.