Sen. Mike Johanns said Tuesday the Obama administration would "jeopardize the security and peace of mind of the American people by willingly transferring terrorists to the United States."

It's not in America's best interest to close the facilities at Guantanamo Bay and "move our sworn enemies close to, or even within, our communities," he said.

Johanns also condemned what he called the administration's reckless decision to place accused plotters of the 2001 attacks on the United States on trial in New York City.

"I urge the president to reconsider his administration's handling of enemy combatants," the Republican senator said.

"A time of war calls for a strong stance on terrorism, and that means keeping terrorists off our soil."

Johanns voted for a Senate appropriations amendment that would have prevented funding to modify or build prison facilities in the United States to hold Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The amendment failed on a 57-43 vote.