USA: House condemns Obama for prisoner swap
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 September 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, USA: House condemns Obama for prisoner swap, 10 September 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/542ac74fb.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 10, 2014
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to condemn President Barack Obama for failing to give Congress 30-day notification about May's exchange of five Taliban leaders held at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay for U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl.
"By setting free five top Taliban commanders from U.S. custody, the Obama administration made Americans less safe," House speaker John Boehner said in a September 9 statement.
The Republican-controlled House voted 249 to 163 on a nonbinding resolution "condemning and disapproving of the Obama administration's failure" to provide notification of the prisoner swap 30 days in advance.
Bergdahl was the only U.S. soldier captured by the Taliban during the conflict in Afghanistan.
The circumstances of his capture are still not entirely clear.
Bergdahl was held for nearly five years.
The House resolution expressed relief that he had returned safely to the United States.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
