© James Lawler Duggan / Reuters
Reuters: Obama to sign defense bill with Guantanamo restrictions
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a sweeping defense policy bill on Tuesday and the White House said President Barack Obama will sign it, despite provisions making it more difficult to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The Senate vote was 91-3 in favor of the measure, which authorizes $607 billion in defense spending and includes $5 billion in cuts excluded from an earlier version vetoed by Obama.
The president had objected to the previous bill both because of the Guantanamo language and because it eased military spending cuts without also loosening restrictions on domestic spending.
The defense bill, which was revised to reflect a two-year budget deal Obama signed into law last week that resolved the spending dispute, easily passed the House last week.
WNU Editor: The vote in the US Senate was 91 - 3 in favor of the defense bill .... more than enough to over-ride a Presidential veto. And yes .... this will kill President Obama's attempts to close Guantanamo.
More News On President Obama Preparing To Sign The Defense Bill
Senate passes defense bill blocking Obama's Guantanamo plan -- CNN
Obama to Sign Defense Bill Despite Provisions to Keep Guantanamo Open -- WSJ
Obama will sign defense bill despite Guantanamo Bay closure ban -- USA Today
Senate passes defense bill that halts Gitmo closure, gives military aid to Kiev & Syrian rebels -- RT