General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Please Tell Me More About How It Was Obama Who Failed To Close Gitmo [View all]Cha
(297,218 posts)snip//
"Obama has tried on a yearly basis to close GITMO, but he has been consistently blocked by Democrats and Republicans in Congress who refuse to provide the funding that is required in order to close the prison and move the prisoners.
Congress stepped up their efforts to keep the secret prison open by passing laws that prohibited President Obama from bringing prisoners to the United States for trial. The fact that many people dont understand is that it is the Pentagon that makes the final decision on detainee transfer, not Obama. So far, the Pentagon has slowed walked the presidents requests for more detainee transfers.
Republicans in Congress are the main reason why GITMO has remained open. The president is squeezed by a congress that refuses to close the prison, and the Pentagon bureaucracy that is doing whatever it pleases.
Given these obstacles, it is no wonder the president is looking for ways to close GITMO on his own. Boehners conclusion that Obama is lawless for trying to uphold the law would be funny if it werent so typical of the Republican treatment of this president.
More..
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/10/10/john-boehner-wigs-calls-obama-lawless-close-illegal-gitmo-prison.html