Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) and Mike McMahon (D-N.Y.) last week joined Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) and 16 other Republicans in sponsoring the legislation, which would deny the Justice Department any funds for trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other suspected terrorists in federal civilian court.And no funding, no trial. It's a good plan, too. So what happens when Obama vetoes the measure? Don't see a veto-proof margin here, guys.
In the weeks since GOP Sen. Scott Brown’s historic election in Massachusetts, King said he believes support in the Democratic Caucus for President Barack Obama’s detainee policies has eroded and predicted the measure would pass if Democratic leaders allow a floor vote on it.
“I have no doubt that if it comes to a vote on the House floor, it will pass,” King said. “You cannot underestimate that impact of the election in Massachusetts, especially when so much of his [Brown’s] messaging dealt with terrorism.
“A number of Democratic members and senators have come up to me and have thanked me for leading on this,” he added.
Obama has not ruled out putting Mohammed on trial in New York City, but said Sunday that he is taking into account objections of the city’s mayor and police commissioner.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg originally supported the plan, but balked when costs for security reached an estimated $1 billion. He has since said holding the trials elsewhere, such as a military base, would be more feasible. The city’s police commissioner, Ray Kelly, has said he was never briefed by the Justice Department about its plans to possibly hold the trials in lower Manhattan.
On Monday, Bloomberg said he wants assurance from the Obama administration that it will help pay for the additional security the city would need to provide for the trials to be held there.
It's funny to see that Peter King is so scared of terrorists that he's willing to cut the budget to keep them from getting a trial.
It's sad to see Altmire and especially McMahon sign on as well.
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