mr. edney? >> thank you, chairman cardin, ranking member kyl, for the opportunity to come and address this important issue today. you have my written statement. i just wanted to highlight a few key points before we get started with the questions. after the president's may 21st speech to the nation, it's becoming clear that there's an emerging consensus now between two administrations that some form of military commissions is necessary for the prosecution of members of al qaeda, specifically the ones at the guantanamo bay facility. at the same time in fewer than six months, the president's deadline for closing guantanamo will arrive. we have not heard from the president's task force on how that will be handled. but what we do know that there are more than 220 detainees at gun taun mow today. just about 15 fewer than there were when this administration started. and almost inevitable that al qaeda detainees, maybe hundreds of them, will end up in the united states. some will be here, held as enemy