In response to President Barack Obama signing a series of executive orders today to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within one year, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement:

“This is absolutely the right thing for the President to do and the first step in restoring America’s reputation in the world.  For too long, our nation was associated with torture and secret prisons.  These policies ran counter to the spirit of our people, and in the long-term, undermined our security.  Today, we can begin to undo that damage and I’m very proud President Obama is taking these immediate actions to bring America’s actions back in line with our values.”