Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback said they believe Fort Leavenworth is probably off the list as a replacement site for terrorist detainees from Guantanamo.
As a result, the Kansas Republicans have dropped the roadblocks that they erected to filling several key posts in the Obama administration.
They had placed the legislative holds because of concerns that President Obama might select the fort when it closes the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba., which it has pledged to do in January
The nominations are for appointees to posts in the Defense and Justice departments. Chief among them was Republican Rep. John McHugh of New York, President Obama’s choice for secretary of the Army.
In a statement, Brownback and Roberts indicated they were satisfied with the outcome of their talks with the administration about Fort Leavenworth.
“We believe that the administration has a good understanding of obstacles and concerns and is giving them proper consideration,” they said. ”We are confident that because of this good faith dialogue, detainees will not be transferred to Fort Leavenworth.”