Earlier this year, Senator Udall visited Guantánamo Bay and met with members of Joint Task Force Guantánamo for a tour of the detention facilities.
In a conference call with reporters, Udall said he believes the confinement of prisoners without due process is a stain on our nation’s history.
The New Mexico democrat said he would use his positions on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to keep pushing to close Guantánamo Bay prison permanently.
Udall said he called for the closure of the detention facility several years ago.
It’s a position shared by President Obama.
Udall said he wants Guantánamo Bay prison closed because he believes it is being used as a recruiting tool around the world as an example of the United States not staying true to its values.
While Udall declared his commitment to closing the facility, he said his visit to Guantánamo Bay reinforced his respect and support for the service members stationed there.