The successor to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will face a number of tough challenges, but none of them will be as critical as restoring our Constitution and the public’s confidence and trust in the rule of law.

That is why I am calling on my colleagues in the Senate to only confirm a nominee for Attorney General who among other items, shows his or her commitment to upholding the rule of law and restoring fundamental rights and freedoms by supporting efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Click here to sign my petition to tell the Senate to only confirm a nominee for Attorney General who supports closing down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay today.

By continuing to isolate detainees on Guantanamo Bay without bringing charges against them, we have forfeited our moral leadership and hindered our ability to rally support in our fight against terrorism. Closing this facility is our single best opportunity to rally our allies in a more effective fight against terrorism and to reduce the risk to Americans traveling abroad.

In May, I introduced legislation that would require President Bush to order the Department of Defense to close the prison at Guantanamo, to resolve the legal status of detainees, and to transfer those accused of a crime to maximum security prisons in the United States.

The chief responsibility of the Attorney General is to enforce the rule of law and uphold the Constitution of the United States. It is irreconcilable for any current or future holder of this office to both enforce the rule of law and to condone indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay.

That’s why I believe the next Attorney General must support efforts to close down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. And I call upon the Senate to only confirm a nominee for this position who will do so.

Please click here to sign my petition to only confirm a nominee who supports efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Thank you for your support.

Senator Tom Harkin