Senate panel weighs plans to close Guantanamo

7/24/13

A series of Senate Democrats called urgently Wednesday for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison, but appeared divided on the question of how to make that happen.

The Senate hearing hinted at disagreements about what to do with the 166 war-on-terror detainees currently at the facility, and at strong House opposition to President Barack Obama’s vow to close the detention center.

“Every day it remains open, Guantanamo prison weakens our alliances,inspires our enemies, and calls into question our commitment to human rights,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) “I am sorry that it’s been five years since we had a hearing on Guantanamo.”

The depth of resistance in the Congress to closing the prison was hard to assess at Wednesday’s hearing. The only Republican senator to attend, Ted Cruz of Texas, sounded a highly skeptical note about the idea.

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Full two page article here: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/guantanamo-closing-plans-94693.html?hp=r14