The ban would last until the end of the calendar year, or until a bill authorizing defense funding is signed into law.
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Closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay has been an administration priority since Obama took office in 2009.
The administration for months has argued the legislation could harm the country’s relationship with Saudi Arabia – and cautioned that if the door is opened for USA citizens to take the Saudis to court, then a foreign country could in turn sue the United States.
Earnest also said the executive branch can already designate certain countries as state sponsors of terrorism, and the bill would give judges across the country the ability to make a similar designation. It said the legislation to be voted on this week “represents an effort not only to extend the facility’s operation – as have the other unwarranted legislative restrictions on transfers – but to bring to a standstill the substantial progress the administration has made in safely and securely reducing the facility’s population”.
“President (Obama) has opposed the bill, which would let courts waive claims to foreign sovereign immunity in cases involving terrorist attacks on USA soil, over fears that foreign governments might exploit the move to drag American officials into court”.
Even after Obama vetoes the bill, it’s possible Congress might have the votes to override his veto.
A presidential veto could set up a vote to override in the run-up to the presidential election.
The law in question is largely targeted at Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally. In July, a 28-page 2002 congressional report on the September 11, 2001 terror attacks was released Friday and it indicated some of the hijackers had ties to people in the Saudi government.
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White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday that Obama will veto the bill, as he “feels very strongly about this”, as it “opens up the U.S.to being hauled into courts around the world”.
