Iowa Lawmakers Tour Proposed Federal Prison, Support Project

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, tells the media of his support for turning the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Ill., into a federal prison that would hold terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Saturday, Nov. 21 after touring the prison. (AP Photo/The Journal-Standard, Stefanie Weiss) **MANDATORY CREDIT**

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Nov 22, 2009 at 9:21 AM CST

Story Updated: Nov 22, 2009 at 9:55 AM CST

THOMSON, Ill. - Four Midwestern Senators and congressmen toured an Illinois prison Saturday touting it as the best option to house Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Waterloo Congressman Bruce Braley were among those touring the nearly vacant facility with top officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons and the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The top issue for most of the legislators was the economic impact it would have on communities across the area. The Obama administration says the proposal would create up to 3,200 jobs.

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