Tulsa World: Inhofe declares victory in Guantanamo controversy

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Inhofe declares victory in Guantanamo controversy

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 5/19/2009 7:27 PM
Last Modified: 5/19/2009 9:40 PM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe declared victory Tuesday after Senate Democrats retreated and announced they also were against closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay — at least for now.

“I am extremely pleased that Democrats in the Senate have reversed course and announced that they will not include the $80 million in the war supplemental to close Gitmo,” the Oklahoma Republican said.

“I will remain watchful as these positive developments unfold in order to ensure this funding is not slipped in the legislation later on.’’

Earlier in the day, Inhofe served notice he was prepared to move ahead with his own proposal to prohibit use of funds to transfer detainees from the Guantanamo Bay facility to the U.S.

His amendment also would have barred spending funds to prepare another facility in the U.S. or its territories for housing any detainees.

Later, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and manager of a supplemental war funding bill, came up with his own version.

Inhofe quickly signed on to the Inouye proposal and conceded his would no longer be needed.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., appeared to stumble a bit as he tried to explain his party’s stance on the issue, which grew out of President Obama’s plan to close the detention center in a year.

Reid, whose answers to reporters’ questions only triggered more questions, later released a written statement again stating that he agreed the detention center must be closed.

“The amendment Chairman Inouye has offered today recognizes that it would be premature for Congress to act before the administration proposes its plan,’’ he stated.

“Let me be clear: Democrats will not move to close Guantanamo without a responsible plan in place to ensure Americans’ safety. And we will never allow a terrorist to be released into the United States.’’

A vote on the Inouye amendment is expected Wednesday.

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Gitmo action pleases Inhofe," which was published on 5/20/2009. So far, 20 comments have been made.