W.H.: The President Views Closing Gitmo ‘as a National Security Priority’

EARNEST: “Well, that obviously assumes that Congress is interested in a fair evaluation. I would — I think it is fair for me to say that that’s not what we’ve gotten from them over the last seven — seven years. And there is an open question about whether or not Congress does want to fairly consider this proposal. I guess we’ll find out. I think what they — what Congress will receive without getting into the details, is a carefully considered, a thoughtful proposal for closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay. And, again, the president has identified this is a national security priority because he doesn’t believe that it’s worth a millions of dollars a year to hold these detainees in a way that only serves to — serves as a recruiting tool for extremist organizations around the globe. That there’s a much better way for us to ensure the safety and security of the American public, you know, than to continue to operate that facility. So, you know, Congress will receive something that is thoughtful and carefully considered from the administration about what we propose to do and it remains to be seen whether or not Congress will thoughtfully and carefully consider it.”