Senate Set To Pass Two Bipartisan Bills Prohibiting President From Moving Gitmo Terrorists To U.S.
Update 2:00 PM CST: The Senate passed with overwhelming bipartisan vote of 91-3 the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (Defense authorization bill) which blocks Obama's Guantanamo plan to close GITMO and to relocate prisoners to within the U.S.
Today in Washington, D.C.- Nov 10, 2015:
The House is not in session.
The Senate reconvened at 10 AM today and resumed consideration of H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill.
At 11, the Senate began consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1356, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (Defense authorization bill). At 11:20, the Senate began voting on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1356.
This afternoon, the Senate is expected to vote on amendments to the VA appropriations bill (H.R. 2029) and take up the conference report on the highways bill
Yesterday, the Senate voted 83-0 to confirm Scott Allen to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
In the News:
The AP reports, “The Senate is poised to pass a bill that bans moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States — something Barack Obama has been trying to do since he was sworn in as president. The Senate planned to vote Tuesday on the $607 billion defense policy bill, which passed the House last week, 370-58.
“The legislation has become a lightning rod for debate over whether the president needs congressional approval to move some of the remaining 112 detainees from the U.S. detention center in Cuba to the United States, or if he could do it with an executive order. Congress has repeatedly thwarted Obama's effort to fulfill a 2008 campaign promise and close the military prison. . . .
“‘Why in the world you would bring these enemy combatants to domestic soil is mind-boggling. This is absolutely nothing short of gambling national security to keep a campaign promise?’ Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Monday.
“White House press secretary Josh Earnest hinted last week that the president might use his executive authority to close the prison. On Monday, Earnest said the White House is focused on working with Congress to shut down Guantanamo, but he left the door open on the president taking executive action. . . .
“Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told reporters in a conference call Monday that Obama has routinely used executive action to go around the intent of Congress. Roberts has placed a hold on Obama's nominee to be the next Army secretary and has pledged to use every legislative tool at his disposal to prevent transferring detainees to the United States.
“Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., notes that it's currently against the law to use any taxpayer money to assist with the transfer of any detainee to the United States. He and other lawmakers say the Obama administration broke the law when it visited possible prison facilities in Kansas, South Carolina and Colorado.”
The Hill adds, “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is wading into the looming battle over closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, warning that President Obama can't move detainees into the United States without approval from Congress.
“‘This morning, the Senate will pass two bills,’ he said. ‘Each of these bills contains a clear bipartisan prohibition on the president moving Guantanamo terrorists into the backyards of the American people. Both of these bills include restrictions on moving terrorists into our country.’
“Senators are expected to take a final vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers are also hoping to finish their work on the fiscal year 2016 spending bill for veterans' benefits and military construction, though a vote hasn't been officially scheduled.
“McConnell's remarks come as the Obama administration is expected to hand over a plan as early this week for closing the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison camp. That plan is expected to include advocating for dozens of the remaining 112 detainees to be moved into the United States.”
Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, Leader McConnell explained the prohibitions on moving terror detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S., which have been approved by bipartisan majorities in Congress for many years now.
“The Senate has voted many times over the years to enact these bipartisan prohibitions.
“We’ve enacted them in Congresses with split party control. We’ve enacted them in Congress with massive, overwhelming Democratic majorities.
“And today, the Congress elected by the American people will express itself clearly once again. Not once, but twice.
“The President may not like this bipartisan action. It may conflict with a campaign slogan from eight or nine years ago.
“But here’s how one Senator put it. ‘Congress’ job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it or he can sign it.’ “That was then-Senator Obama as he was criticizing the idea of doing an ‘end-run around Congress.’ ‘I believe in the Constitution,’ he said, ‘and I will obey the Constitution of the United States.’ Those were his words then. They should guide his actions now.”
Tags: U.S Senate, bills, prohibiting transfer, GITMO detainees, to USA To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
Today in Washington, D.C.- Nov 10, 2015:
The House is not in session.
The Senate reconvened at 10 AM today and resumed consideration of H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill.
At 11, the Senate began consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1356, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (Defense authorization bill). At 11:20, the Senate began voting on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S. 1356.
This afternoon, the Senate is expected to vote on amendments to the VA appropriations bill (H.R. 2029) and take up the conference report on the highways bill
Yesterday, the Senate voted 83-0 to confirm Scott Allen to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
In the News:
The AP reports, “The Senate is poised to pass a bill that bans moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States — something Barack Obama has been trying to do since he was sworn in as president. The Senate planned to vote Tuesday on the $607 billion defense policy bill, which passed the House last week, 370-58.
“The legislation has become a lightning rod for debate over whether the president needs congressional approval to move some of the remaining 112 detainees from the U.S. detention center in Cuba to the United States, or if he could do it with an executive order. Congress has repeatedly thwarted Obama's effort to fulfill a 2008 campaign promise and close the military prison. . . .
“‘Why in the world you would bring these enemy combatants to domestic soil is mind-boggling. This is absolutely nothing short of gambling national security to keep a campaign promise?’ Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Monday.
“White House press secretary Josh Earnest hinted last week that the president might use his executive authority to close the prison. On Monday, Earnest said the White House is focused on working with Congress to shut down Guantanamo, but he left the door open on the president taking executive action. . . .
“Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told reporters in a conference call Monday that Obama has routinely used executive action to go around the intent of Congress. Roberts has placed a hold on Obama's nominee to be the next Army secretary and has pledged to use every legislative tool at his disposal to prevent transferring detainees to the United States.
“Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., notes that it's currently against the law to use any taxpayer money to assist with the transfer of any detainee to the United States. He and other lawmakers say the Obama administration broke the law when it visited possible prison facilities in Kansas, South Carolina and Colorado.”
The Hill adds, “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is wading into the looming battle over closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, warning that President Obama can't move detainees into the United States without approval from Congress.
“‘This morning, the Senate will pass two bills,’ he said. ‘Each of these bills contains a clear bipartisan prohibition on the president moving Guantanamo terrorists into the backyards of the American people. Both of these bills include restrictions on moving terrorists into our country.’
“Senators are expected to take a final vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers are also hoping to finish their work on the fiscal year 2016 spending bill for veterans' benefits and military construction, though a vote hasn't been officially scheduled.
“McConnell's remarks come as the Obama administration is expected to hand over a plan as early this week for closing the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison camp. That plan is expected to include advocating for dozens of the remaining 112 detainees to be moved into the United States.”
Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, Leader McConnell explained the prohibitions on moving terror detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S., which have been approved by bipartisan majorities in Congress for many years now.
“The Senate has voted many times over the years to enact these bipartisan prohibitions.
“We’ve enacted them in Congresses with split party control. We’ve enacted them in Congress with massive, overwhelming Democratic majorities.
“And today, the Congress elected by the American people will express itself clearly once again. Not once, but twice.
“The President may not like this bipartisan action. It may conflict with a campaign slogan from eight or nine years ago.
“But here’s how one Senator put it. ‘Congress’ job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it or he can sign it.’ “That was then-Senator Obama as he was criticizing the idea of doing an ‘end-run around Congress.’ ‘I believe in the Constitution,’ he said, ‘and I will obey the Constitution of the United States.’ Those were his words then. They should guide his actions now.”
Tags: U.S Senate, bills, prohibiting transfer, GITMO detainees, to USA To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
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