Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln today held a press conference with several of her Senate colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would cut off funding for the trials of the 9/11 conspirators in civilian court. The Senators favor trial by military commission.
“I have serious concerns about using the U.S. criminal justice system to try enemy combatants who are currently detained at Guantanamo Bay or who might be charged in the future with acts of international terrorism,” Lincoln said.
“My primary concern is providing for the safety and security of our nation and its citizens and I believe conducting military tribunals is the most effective means to accomplish that goal in these cases. In my view, their alleged acts against our country warrant trying these individuals in military court.”
Senator Lincoln said she believes Arkansans are particularly concerned with the cost of the trials for taxpayers, the potential security implications of conducting a traditional criminal trial in the United States, and the appropriateness of trying enemy combatants in civilian court.”
Last November, Lincoln also supported an amendment to the FY2010 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that called for the United States to try anyone suspected of involvement in the 9/11 attacks in a military commission and not a federal court.
(Above) The group of Senators included Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Joe Lieberman (ID-Connecticut), John McCain (R-Arizona), Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) and Jim Webb (D-Virginia).
