Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., on Tuesday defended President Obama's decision to exchange Guantanamo Bay detainees in exchange for the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, saying President Obama provided the proper notice to Congress.

Levin said, “Relative to the requirement that the notification be provided 30 days in advance of the transfer of detainees, the President put Congress on notice on Dec. 23, 2013, that he intended to exercise his powers as commander in chief, if necessary, ‘to act swiftly in conducting negotiations with foreign countries regarding the circumstances of detainee transfers.’”

Republicans have accused Obama of breaking the law when he released the Guantanamo detainees. They accuse him of failing to notify Congress within 30 days.

Lawmakers will receive a classified briefing about the prisoner exchange next week.

Here is Levin’s statement: