Two years later, Vermonts senators were on opposing sides of the issue. When it came time to fund Obamas campaign promise to close the prison within a year, Sanders balked. In a 90-6 vote, Sanders and the majority of the Senate declined to fund Guantanamos closure.
That vote, specifically, was on an amendment that would have added $80 million for Guantanamos closure to a military spending bill. Sanders, who voted against the $91.3 billion funding package, also voted not to add the $80 million for the closure of Guantanamo to the bill.
In a statement at the time, Sanders explained his vote.
A number of important questions remain unanswered regarding the rather complicated issue of not just how you close down the facility, but what you do with the prisoners, he said in part. In order to answer these questions, President Obama has appointed a high-level committee of top administration officials who will be issuing a report in the coming months. I think that it is prudent to review that plan they develop before we spend $80 million in taxpayer money.
