Duval Times

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) as well as House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) and Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-CT) have sent a letter to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns, requesting that the Intelligence Community (IC) refrain from using National Intelligence Program (NIP) funds to charter any private or commercial aircraft to transport detainees from U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In the letter, the committee leaders expressed their concerns about the threat of recidivism among individuals currently detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who may become eligible for release. They also highlighted the complex international security environment and the terrorism threat in the Middle East. Despite differing views on the administration's policy of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the committee leaders are united in their belief that NIP funds should not be used for transporting detainees.

The full text of the letter reads, "We write to request that the Intelligence Community refrain from expending National Intelligence Program (NIP) funds to charter any private or commercial aircraft to transport detainees from U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The United States faces an increasingly complex international security environment, and as leaders of the congressional intelligence committees, we must ensure that funds made available to the Intelligence Community are reserved for use in carrying out intelligence activities most critical to the nation’s security. We are concerned by the threat of recidivism among individuals currently detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who are or may become eligible for release, especially given the current terrorism threat environment in the Middle East. While there are differing views among us regarding the Administration’s stated policy of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, we share the belief that NIP funds should not be used to charter any private or commercial aircraft to transport detainees. We appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to receiving a written response within two weeks of this letter assuring our Committees that these critical funds will not be used for these activities."

The committee leaders emphasized the importance of reserving NIP funds for intelligence activities critical to the nation's security. They are urging the DNI and CIA Director to provide a written response within two weeks, assuring the committees that NIP funds will not be used for chartering aircraft to transport detainees.

This letter demonstrates bipartisan concern about the use of funds and the potential risks associated with transporting detainees from Guantanamo Bay. The committee leaders are prioritizing national security and urging the intelligence community to allocate resources wisely.

The response from the DNI and CIA Director is eagerly awaited, as it will provide assurance to the committees that NIP funds will not be used for these activities.