Senate panel to take up Gitmo bill next week

The Senate Armed Services Committee next week will mark up Republican-backed legislation to effectively bar the Obama administration from transferring more detainees from Guantánamo Bay.

Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said during a hearing that the panel would likely take up the bill next Thursday.

{mosads}The legislation was introduced by Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and backed by McCain, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

The bill blocks any transfers to Yemen, a hotbed of terrorist activity, suspends transfers of high- and medium-risk detainees, and requires the Defense secretary to provide an unclassified report on detainees who have been deemed high- or medium-risk at any point.

It also extends a ban on detainee transfers to the U.S., as well as the use of any federal dollars to construct or modify facilities to house detainees.

The legislation comes in response to a renewed effort by President Obama to shutter the controversial facility, something he promised as a candidate.

Brian McKeon, principal deputy undersecretary of Defense for policy, said that the administration objects to the bill.

“Because this legislation, if enacted, would effectively block progress towards the goal of closing the Guantánamo Bay detention center, the administration will oppose it,” he said.

After the hearing, McCain said he hopes committee Democrats offer their own legislation to address Gitmo.

“I look forward to good participation and we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters.

Asked if Democrats had already proposed amendments to alter the measure, he said: “No, but if they have ideas we’ll be glad to hear them.”