Durbin, Harkin tour Illinois prison targeted for Guantanamo prisoners

WASHINGTON–As the Senate debates health care on Saturday, Democrats Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa are making a quick daytrip to the Illinois prison the Obama White House is targeting for Guantanamo detainees. The senators, flying on an Air Force jet, expect to be back for the crucial showdown vote at 8 p.m. eastern Saturday. Today, by the way, is Durbin’s birthday.

Durbin and Harkin will be touring the Thomson Correctional Center with

Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL), Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) Phil Carter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs, Harley Lampin, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Michael P. Randle, Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Durbin will also lunch with local elected officials and visit with community members who are also having lunch at the restaurant.