The House passed a measure Thursday aiming to block the transfer of detainees now being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
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The House on Thursday passed the bill on a 244 to 174 vote, but even some leading Republican House members acknowledge privately that it stands nearly no chance of being approved by the Senate. They included vulnerable lawmakers such as Nebraska Rep. Brad Ashford and California Rep. Ami Bera, as well as Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is challenging Republican Sen.
Advocates for closing the prison say it costs too much to operate, contravenes USA values by holding prisoners, all Muslims, for years without trial, and serves as a propaganda tool for militant groups.
Obama vowed that he would close the controversial detention center at the base in Cuba as he first campaigned for the White House in 2008.
“The [Obama] administration should heed the will of the House and cease its planned transfers of more terrorists back to their host countries”, Ryan stated. The bill the House passed Thursday highlights this issue that has passionately divided Americans, just in time for the home stretch of an election season. About 30 percent of Gitmo’s ex-detainees have returned to Islamofascism. “I urge you to vote against this bill”.
The White House has said President Barack Obama would veto the legislation, arguing Guantanamo weakens national security by draining resources and emboldening violent extremists.
Of the 61 detainees left at Guantanamo, approximately 16 of them have been cleared for transfer to other countries, House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith, D-Wash., said Tuesday.
According to Reuters, the ODNI report still showed that Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush released more detainees than Obama has.
Republicans say Guantanamo is an important tool in the fight against terrorism.
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The U.S. government said on Wednesday that two more militants released from Guantanamo had returned to fighting.
