By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate on Thursday rejected a measure that would have required prisoners charged with involvement in the September 11 attacks to stand trial in a military court rather than a criminal court.
Congress has voted several times this year to restrict how the Obama administration brings terrorism suspects to trial as it seeks to empty the controversial Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba.
But the Senate voted 54-45 to reject the measure after Attorney General Eric Holder and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said it would limit their options.
Administration officials plan to decide by November 16 whether to try the remaining 215 Guantanamo detainees in regular civilian courts or a revised version of the military tribunals, which have been criticized for restricting rights of the accused. Some deemed not to be a security risk could be released in foreign countries.
President Barack Obama has pledged to close the facility by January 22, although political and legal hurdles are making it difficult for his administration to meet that goal.
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