Revised Defense Bill Shaves Off $5 Billion, Gitmo Restrictions Remain

Congress sent President Barack Obama a $607 billion defense policy bill Tuesday that bans moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States – something Obama has been trying to do since he was sworn in as president.

Obama vetoed an earlier version of the defense policy bill over a dispute, later resolved, about whether defense spending increases should be accompanied by boosts in domestic programs.

The White House said Obama would sign the bill, despite the fact that he has been fighting to transfer prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S.in order to close the terrorist detention center, as he promised to do during his run for president in 2008.

The passage of the budget bill will avert a disastrous default by the United States and puts the next round of struggle over spending and debt until after next year’s presidential and congressional elections.

The senator’s office also released a letter, signed by Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor and at least 40 other Colorado sheriffs, calling on the president not to transfer these “enemy combatants” to prisons in either Florence or Fremont County.

Obama still is trying to fulfill his 2008 campaign promise to close the facility, with just 13 months remaining in his presidency.

The USA has long claimed that the location of the Guantánamo prison allows them to detain “War On Terror” prisoners without granting them due process or legal protections, including those against torture.

Congress and the administration continue to move in opposing directions on the issue.

“I am … grateful that this measure stops critical defense funds and taxpayer dollars from going to professional sports organizations to honor American troops at sporting events”, Blumenthal said.

“Relocating terrorists to the mainland will paint a target on the American communities forced to house these detainees”, Roberts said.

However, even if the president signs the bill into law, White House press secretary Josh Earnest suggested last week that Obama may consider using his executive authority to shut down Guantanamo. “It would be highly reckless and irresponsible”.

However, Republican lawmakers in SC, one of the three states in the pending Pentagon report, appear willing to mount a legal challenge.