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Some members of Congress believe President Obama broke the law when he made the deal to exchange five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo for Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held as a prisoner of war in Afghanistan. They are planning to formally condemn the president next week.Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va., 2nd District) has authored a resolution which is scheduled to be acted upon next week by the House Armed Services Committee. The measure is expected to be part of a "mark-up" when that panel meets next Tuesday. The document declares that the transfer of the five so-called Taliban commanders to get Bergdahl back was a violation of the national Defense Authorization Act of 2014, which requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress at least 30 days in advance of such of transfer, which did not happen.
"It's an important legal marker that tells this president and future presidents that this is not lawful procedure that they can rely upon, and it expressly condemns and expresses disapproval o his actions," said Rigell, in an interview with 13 News Now. "So it's unequivocal from the people's house, the House of Representatives. We're making clear that this is not acceptable."
Rigell , a Republican, insists it's not a partisan attack against the President, who is a Democrat, but rather, a matter of law. "It's the law of the land and the administration, through the Department of Defense completely disregarded that, made no effort whatsoever."
Rigell says after Tuesday's mark-up, he has received assurances from House leadership that the full House of Representatives will get to vote on the resolution on the floor of the chamber by early September.
"It's an important legal marker that tells this president and future presidents that this is not lawful procedure that they can rely upon, and it expressly condemns and expresses disapproval o his actions," said Rigell, in an interview with 13 News Now. "So it's unequivocal from the people's house, the House of Representatives. We're making clear that this is not acceptable."
Rigell , a Republican, insists it's not a partisan attack against the President, who is a Democrat, but rather, a matter of law. "It's the law of the land and the administration, through the Department of Defense completely disregarded that, made no effort whatsoever."
Rigell says after Tuesday's mark-up, he has received assurances from House leadership that the full House of Representatives will get to vote on the resolution on the floor of the chamber by early September.
Is he for real?