Senate Moves to Block Obama's Gitmo Agenda

In this photo reviewed by a U.S. Department of Defense official, a Guantanamo detainee runs inside an exercise area at the detention facility on Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba, April 27, 2010.

/ AP

Before they leave for Christmas break, Senate Democrats are trying to pass a massive bill to fund the government through the end of the current fiscal year, which began October 1st. Twelve separate spending measures have been wrapped into the "omnibus" bill -- as well as language that would keep the Obama administration from holding trials for Guantanamo Bay prison detainees or detaining them on U.S. soil.

The administration wants to try and move the detainees as part of its effort to close the controversial facility. President Obama has already missed his deadline to close the facility within one year of taking office.

The 1,900-plus-page bill includes language prohibiting the Justice Department from acquiring a prison facility to incarcerate or detain current Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States. Congress is also attempting to use its power of the purse to curb the White House's policy goals: the omnibus bill does not include the funding requested by the administration for first year costs of criminal trials for some former Guantanamo detainees.

A Senate summary of the bill says the funding was left out "because the Administration's plan for these trials is still undefined."

The House passed a measure last week barring the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison detainees to the United States. Attorney General Eric Holder subsequently sent a letter to Senate leaders urging them to abandon the legislation.

"In order to protect the American people as effectively as possible, we must be in a position to use every lawful instrument of national power to ensure that terrorists are brought to justice and can no longer threaten American lives," Holder wrote.

Decisions about when and where to try terrorist suspects should be determined on an individual basis, Holder said, and preventing that would have serious implications the impartiality of the justice system. "It would be a mistake to tie the hands of the President and his national security advisers now," he said.

The legislation comes after the trial of Ahmed Ghailani, the first Guantanamo detainee to be tried in civilian court. Ghailani was convicted of one conspiracy charge but acquitted of more than 280 other charges related to the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa. While Ghailani faces 20 years to life in prison, some called the verdict proof that the administration's plans to try alleged terrorists in federal courts risks letting them go free.

Senate Democrats are rounding up votes for the omnibus bill, which would fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2011, and say they are hopeful they can get the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Some Senate Republicans, however, are expressing their strong reservations with the measure.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas blasted his Democratic colleagues for combining so many spending bills "before anyone can read them."

"This political end-around reveals just how quickly my colleagues across the aisle have already forgotten the voters' message in November, and I urge Senate Democrats to keep the wishes of the American people in mind as they consider this move," he said.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, meanwhile, criticized the bill for its thousands of pet projects, known as earmarks, which were added by Democratic and GOP senators alike (despite a pledge by Republicans to give up such projects next year).

"Americans loudly demanded an end to the runaway spending, but Democrats are intent on raiding every taxpayer dollar that they can grab from the Treasury on their way out of power," DeMint said in a statement.

DeMint said he and other Republicans will force Democrats to read the bill on the Senate floor.

Incoming Republican House speaker John Boehner, meanwhile, is calling on Mr. Obama to veto the measure if it passes.

"If President Obama is truly serious about ending earmarks, he should oppose Senate Democrats' pork-laden omnibus spending bill and announce he will veto it if necessary," he said.

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Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[strikerF2]

Its not Gitmo they want to block it is all that pork in the bill they want to pass. Fools think the American people will not find out,wait to next election and all the incumbants get to come home and look for a job.

[inketolstoy]

We can only hope we Americans keep rotating in new blood into Washington.

[WeHappyFew]

I trust the testimony of those who have been there observing at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib who said ' people weren't even trying to get information it was just recreational sadism'
Thats just a waste of our money . Im not squeamish about National security but this is not helpful to America.

[strikerF2]

Its not gitmo they want,its the pork in the bill they want to pass.

[newsbarn]

Isnt it nice to know your tax dollars are paying for Gitmo? Where the prisoners have never been charged with a crime and no court date set for trials. One of the prisoners was captured and sent there because he was wearing a Rolex watch. And according to the military, you must be a terrorist to afford something like that.....gotta love it!

[askagain]

Gitmo was a hot issue under President Bush. Today, few people care about Gitmo. Apparently, the prisioners are being treated better under President Obama's administration. Or was Gitmo simly used as a political football to discredit President Bush? Either way, Gitmo is still there.

[jgg000101]

yes, gitmo is still there. But who was the one to announce he was going to close it to great fanfare? Actually it's the same person who announced he was going to end the wars and bring the troops home.
Where are all the anti-war protestors? Where's code pink? Where's cindy sheehan?

[inketolstoy]

"Where are all the anti-war protestors? Where's code pink? Where's cindy sheehan?"

Back in their cages until their handlers need them again.

[nearl451]

You can't expect any adult conversation about Gitmo in this country, even thoughthose held their are OUR prisoners.

Too emotional a topic, and people present how fear will limit any sense of justice.

Perhaps in another decade or so.

[YrWrongAgain]

Give Hugo Chavez 1 year to rule by decree and he'll solve all of our problems! In the name of the community of unity!

[forsanity1]

Mr. Boehner.... President Obama isn't the one who has made such a big deal about earmarks. He recognizes that some of them are valid.

It is you and your Republican cohorts that have made a big deal and pledges and promises on this issue (how about winning that election based on this sort of thing..... huh?). Maybe you should be talking to those GOP members that have earmarks in this bill!

Maybe ask Senator DeMint to address them in the Senate, if he can survive his latest denial of the facts/blame Democrats only crap!

[abhorlibs]

"John, nobody is denying that $18 billion is important. And, absolutely, we need earmark reform . And when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely."

Quote of obamao during campaign. The only thing he goes over line by line is his friggin' vacation itinerary

[realist51]

congress has not allowed for a line item veto for the president so its either veto the whole bill or let the pork go through with what the bill was initially written for or lose it. too with the rules in the senate we have allowed them to give forty people total controll of legislation here in america this needs to change to a simple majority 51. my question for demint is you just allowed a 900 billion to a trillion dollar taxcut/spending bill to go through the senate now why are you crying about a 1.5 trillion dollar omnibus bill jim? ying and yang?

[steeepe]

Gitmo serves as a worldwide reminder that U.S justice is not for foreigners. We're the land of the free and home of the brave until it comes to trying accused terrorists in the U.S. Then we're a bunch of scared wimps.