Obama Signs Defense Bill That Limits His Options In Guantanamo

NPR's Ari Shapiro reports that President Obama has just signed into law a defense authorization bill that severely limits the President's ability to transfer prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay prison.

The president faced a tough choice, because the $725 billion bill funds the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some analysts expected Obama to veto the bill or, as George Bush did often, make it law but attach a signing statement saying the executive limits on Guantanamo transfers were unconstitutional so the President could ignore them.

Instead, Obama signed it and said, "My administration will work with the Congress to seek repeal of these restrictions, will seek to mitigate their effects, and will oppose any attempt to extend or expand them in the future."

One of the provisions in the bill bars the military from using its money to transfer detainees to the United States. Another doesn't allow the transfer of detainees to any other country, unless Defense Secretary Robert Gates certifies that country meets a set of security conditions.

Ari adds that the president said those provisions undermine the country's counter-terrorism efforts and harm national security.

After signing this bill, Obama could have a tougher time closing down Guantanamo, as he's vowed to, because it goes against the bipartisan wishes of Congress.