House GOPers push military tribunals for terror suspects

House Republicans on Tuesday revived their effort to require suspected terrorists to be tried as enemy combatants before military tribunals.

Their new bill, chiefly sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), would consequently block the Department of Justice from prosecuting any additional terror suspects in civilian forums.

“The American people are outraged that foreign terrorists who have declared war on America are being tried in civilian courts,” Buchanan said in a statement. “Terrorists with ties to known terror organizations such as al Qaeda should not be afforded the same constitutional protections as American citizens, nor should sensitive homeland security and intelligence information be publicized in open, civilian court proceedings.”

Republicans' new campaign is their latest in a series of moves to prevent terrorism suspects from being housed and tried domestically in federal courts or civilian juries.

Already, Attorney General Eric Holder has announced the five suspected 9/11 plotters will appear before a district court in New York City. The alleged bomber of Delta Flight 253 is also slated to appear before a civilian court in Detroit.

Still another suspected terrorist, currently housed at the Guantanamo Bay facility, could see a trial in Washington D.C., Justice Department officials hinted last week. More civilian trials are likely to follow as the White House continues the process of closing its controversial military prison camp.

However, a large swath of Republicans have signaled staunch opposition to those trials. Many, including Buchanan, charge that those forums award constitutional protections to suspects that do not deserve them and deprive intelligence officials of much-needed information.

So far, at least nine other Republicans agree and have signed on as co-sonsors. Among them is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who suggested in a statement that civilian trials for terrorists could threaten U.S. security.

"Trying terrorists in military commissions at Guantanamo Bay is the only way to protect the American people," Smith said. Bringing them to the U.S. risks giving terrorists the same constitutional rights as citizens. The Obama Administration should treat terrorists as terrorists and try them in military tribunals at Gitmo.”

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