Senate update: Addressing state’s role regarding detainees

This week, in addition to giving a third reading and sending to the House the Ports Restructuring bill, we took up a resolution that attempted to dictate foreign policy to President Obama.

Many Senate members strongly felt that this bill took a stab at newly-elected President Obama’s authority, while under the guise of protecting South Carolinians. As you may have heard, on his second day in office, the President directed the closing of Guantanamo Detention Facility within a year.

Back in November, senior pentagon officials identified the Naval Consolidated Brig in North Charleston, Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and Camp Pendleton in California, as possible places to send detainees after the closing of Guantanamo. It is not guaranteed that North Charleston will be selected as the future site of holding these detainees and suspected terrorists. As South Carolinians, we have a proud military history and have never shirked our patriotic duty. If President Obama feels that North Charleston is the best place to house these transfers, then he has done so with a full evaluation of all locations.

The resolution that asks President Obama to rescind his order to close Guantanamo Bay was sent back to the General Committee for further discussion.

Sen. Kent Williams can be contacted in Columbia in the 602 Gressette Office Building at (803) 212-6008 or by fax at (803) 212-6011. My district office is at 137 Airport Road, Suite J, off U.S. Highway 76 between Marion and Mullins. That telephone number is (843) 423-8237 and the fax number is (843) 431-6049. Send e-mails to me at and my business phone is (843) 423-3904.