Hartzler condemns Obama Administration release of terrorists in Bergdahl swap

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) and the House have approved House Resolution 644, which she co-sponsors, to condemn and disapprove of the Obama Administration’s failure to notify Congress before releasing five terrorists who had been detained at Guantanamo. The five Taliban leaders were released in exchange for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl’s return to the United States.

“While I am relieved that Sergeant Bergdahl was returned safely to the United States, negotiating with terrorists could have serious national security implications that put the U.S. at risk,” said Hartzler. “Congress was not notified of the transfer until three days after it had occurred. This was a violation of both the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act and the 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which require that Congress be notified 30 days before any such transfers take place. The Administration, through this unilateral action, demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. I pray the United States does not pay dearly for the release of these five individuals whom the Obama Administration had previously deemed ‘too dangerous to transfer.’”