Administration Prepares to Defy Efforts to Limit Obama's Options for Guantanamo

[SpartanDem]

Source: TPM

Obama administration officials say they plan to reject Congressional efforts to limit the president's options on Guantanamo, setting the stage for a confrontation between the president and the new Congress on an issue that has been politically divisive since Inauguration Day.

The Guantanamo provisions, which include limits on where and how prisoners can be tried, were attached to a spending bill for military pay and benefits approved by Congress late last year. White House aides are recommending that President Obama sign the spending bill and then issue a "signing statement" challenging at least some of the Guantanamo provisions as intrusions on his constitutional authority.

The statement, officials said, would likely be released along with a new executive order that outlined review procedures for some -- but not all -- of the 174 Guantanamo prisoners still held without charge or trial.

Obama has used signing statements in the past, but this one would carry political significance as the first test of his relationship with a Congress in which the House is firmly in Republican


Read more: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/administration-prepares-to-defy-efforts-to-limit-obamas-options-for-guantanamo.php

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If you think the the GOP is upset the coming EPA rulings this gonna set off some major fireworks.

[Robb]

1. "If we resort to this, it is to close Guantanamo, not keep it open."

Critical point here. Anyone really believe the GOP wants to close that prison?

This will be a dirty fight, count on it.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. How's that closing going?

:think:
not well

:shrug:

[Tx4obama]

3. Top Front Page Headine at HuffPo: OBAMA PLANS GUANTANAMO SHOWDOWN WITH CONGRESS

Go get 'em Obama!

[sabra]

4. President Obama Weighs Move to Retain Control of Guantanamo Closure

Source: ABC News

Obama's Formal Objection to Defense Bill Could Provoke Congress on Sensitive Issue

President Obama may formally object to a provision that would prohibit the use of any funds to transfer detainees from the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay to the United States for any purpose.

The provision -- attached to the Defense Authorization bill -- would be a critical blow to the president's stated goal of trying some Guantanamo detainees in civilian courts. Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter to Congress late last year calling the provision "an extreme and risky encroachment on the authority of the executive branch to determine when and where to prosecute terrorist suspects."

A final decision on whether to issue a so-called signing statement, which was first reported by ProPublica, and its scope, has yet to be made by the president and his senior staff.

Signing statements are legal documents that a president issues to outline how he thinks a law should be implemented. The statements can be largely ceremonial, explaining the president's view of the effects of the bill, or they can go as far as challenging the constitutionality of the provision and stating that the president will refuse to enforce it.

A White House official said Monday that even if the president decides to issue the signing statement, he will not seek to bypass the Guantanamo restrictions. The statement instead would reflect Obama's intention to seek a reversal of the provision through Congress.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-weighs-formal-attempt-block-gitmo-provisions/story?id=12535731

[denem]

5. 'Congress blocks transfer of detainees from Guantanamo'

Obama considers avenues to bypass restrictions.

THIS IS WHAT THE HEADLINE SHOULD HAVE SAID.

Next per DU: Obama breaks another promise.

[notesdev]

6. Wasn't Guantanamo supposed to have been closed?

Now I know people keep weaseling out of reasonable expectations, but I'm pretty sure this one was an explicit, unambiguous pledge.

Ah yes here it is:

As President, I will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions. Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists.

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/remarks_of_senator_obama_the_w_1.php

The immediately following paragraph is very telling as well:

This Administration also puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand. I will provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to track and take out the terrorists without undermining our Constitution and our freedom.

Someone ought to send a memo to Janet.