“I’ve also been in favor of closing Guantanamo because of the image that Guantanamo has in the world, whether it’s deserved or not,” said Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. (Associated Press) more >

Senate Republicans are offering the president a path in the annual defense policy bill to make good on a campaign promise and close Guantanamo Bay before leaving office.

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed the $612 billion bill with a bipartisan 22-4 vote on Thursday. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican and chairman of the committee, said the bill includes reforms of acquisition, retirement and personnel issues as well as a proposal to close the military prison in Cuba.

The bill would require the administration to provide Congress a comprehensive plan on how to close Guantanamo Bay that would need to be approved by both chambers of Congress. Once approved, Congress would give the administration whatever authority it needed to execute the plan.