WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Department of Defense intends to release a proposal on February 23 to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in accordance with a deadline set by US lawmakers, Department spokesperson Lt.Col. Tom Crosson told Sputnik on Monday.
"We plan on meeting the deadline," Crosson stated.
President Barack Obama has been attempting to close the Guantanamo Bay before he leaves office in January 2017, despite opposition coming mainly, but not exclusively, from congressional Republicans and state governors.
On February 11, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said US lawmakers are preparing legal action against the potential decision by Obama to transfer the remaining Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.
Obama has previously stated that he has not ruled out closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center by issuing an executive order in case Congress fails to cooperate on the issue.
