Pentagon to submit plan to Congress for closing Guantanamo prison

[Little Tich]

Source: Reuters

The Pentagon is expected to submit to Congress on Tuesday President Barack Obama's long-awaited plan for closing the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, setting up a battle with lawmakers who oppose his efforts.

Obama, whose pledge to shut the facility at the U.S. naval base in Cuba dates back to the start of his presidency in 2009, is seeking to make good on his plan before he leaves office next January.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the administration intended to meet Tuesday's deadline for sending Congress a proposal for closing the facility. There are still 91 prisoners detained there.

"We understand the deadline is tomorrow and it's our intent to meet it," Davis told a press briefing on Monday. "We're working on it and intend to submit it soon."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-guantanamo-plan-idUSKCN0VV2IM

[HassleCat]

1. That would be great.

That prison has been a stain on our honor for too many years. This would be another fine accomplishment for Obama. For bonus points, it would really, really annoy the other party.

[chapdrum]

2. Wonder why this is taking so long

Likewise, starting the trials of those accused of plotting 9-11.

That's 14+ years ago.

[Abouttime]

3. Not just close the prison

I hope Obama announces plans to give the entire base back to Cuba during his historic trip there.

[Eugene]

4. Obama to make statement on Guantanamo amid plan to close prison

Source: Reuters

Politics | Tue Feb 23, 2016 7:37am EST

Obama to make statement on Guantanamo amid plan to close prison

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama will deliver a statement on Guantanamo on Tuesday, the White House said, as his administration prepared to present U.S. lawmakers with his plan to shutter the controversial military prison.

Obama, who is scheduled to speak at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT), had pledged to close the facility at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, since he took office in 2009.

On Monday, the Pentagon said it expected to meet Tuesday's deadline to submit Obama's plan to Congress as the president seeks to make good on his plan before his term ends in January.

U.S. officials have said the plan will call for sending detainees who have been cleared for transfer to their homelands or third countries and bringing remaining prisoners to U.S. soil to be held in maximum-security prisons.

Congress has banned such transfers to the United States since 2011.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-guantanamo-idUSKCN0VW17F