US House votes to block Gitmo detainee transfer

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to block additional transfers of prisoners from the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.

The 244-177 vote is a blow to President Barack Obama’s efforts to shutter the prison before he leaves White House.

The bill has to pass the Senate as well in order to be sent to Obama's desk to be signed.

Republicans have tried to block Obama’s initiative for a long time and Thursday vote broke down along party lines.

The Obama administration has worked to reduce the number of detainees at the prison and currently 61 prisoners remain, down from nearly 800 at its highest.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest commented on the measure during a press briefing, saying former President George W. Bush and high-ranking national security officials in his administration had already advocated for the closure of the controversial prison.

He said closing Guantanamo is in the national security interest of the U.S. and the move would also save a significant amount of taxpayers’ money.

“Those individuals who are currently in the prison at Guantanamo Bay who cannot be transferred safely to other countries, can be detained in the United States at a much lower cost,” he said. “I understand the politics of this are tough, but when it comes to America's national security, at some point, that should rate higher on the priority list than an individual's reelection prospects.”

The vote comes the same week the administration acknowledged two detainees who were released have rejoined terror groups, bringing that total number to nine confirmed, and 11 suspected.