Schatz to take part in Guantanamo ‘fact-finding’ trip
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will be among a bipartisan group of seven lawmakers visiting Guantanamo Bay in Cuba Friday on a "fact-finding oversight trip," the Hawaii Democrat’s office said.
Schatz and Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; Angus King, I-Maine; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Mark Kirk, R-Il.; Chris Coons, D-Del.; and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., will visit Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to review detainee facilities and detention operations, the legal status of individual detainees, and the military commissions process that is used to try detainees.
"This trip is a fact-finding mission to ensure that the government is doing everything possible to protect the safety of Americans and make certain that tax dollars are appropriately expended," Schatz’ office said.
A total of 148 detainees remained at Guantanamo earlier this month, the Pentagon reported.