Washington, D.C. – Representative Heath Shuler’s bill to protect U.S. troops by blocking the release of photos of detainees in U.S. custody was added to the Homeland Security Department funding bill.
President Obama supports this action because he said it would cause a backlash of anti-American sentiment against U.S. troops, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I fully stand behind President Obama’s decision against releasing these photos to prevent endangering our troops,” said Rep. Shuler, D-Waynesville. “Generals and military experts warn that the release of these photos would fan the hatred of extremist groups at a time when tensions already run high in the Middle East. We don’t want to provide recruitment tools to al-Qaeda.”
The Senate included the provision in its Homeland Security appropriations bill, but the House did not in its initial version.
Rep. Shuler and Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, led a bipartisan effort over the past few weeks to urge other House members to support adding the ban on releasing the photos to the Homeland Security bill. The House is expected to vote on the overall bill next week and the Senate will follow.
While supporting government transparency, Rep. Shuler said publishing the photos does not outweigh the risk of inciting terrorists to act against U.S. troops stationed overseas.
“Everyone condemns the actions taken against some U.S. detainees held overseas,” Shuler said. “But putting these photos out for public display would only re-ignite this old issue and make it more difficult for our troops working to quell violence in the Middle East.”
###
