Guantanamo measure sponsored by Cape Girardeau representative passes Missouri House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are urging the federal government not to keep Guantanamo Bay terror suspects in their state.

President Barack Obama in January ordered the prison to be closed within a year.

Missouri House members voted 125-29 on Tuesday in favor of a resolution asking that those prisoners not be housed in their state. No place in Missouri has been mentioned as a possible site for the prisoners, although Fort Leavenworth in neighboring Kansas has.

The resolution does not have the force of law. Rep. Clint Tracy of Cape Girardeau is the resolution sponsor.

It now moves to the Senate.

Supporters say keeping terror suspects out of Missouri would keep citizens safe if the prisoners were to get loose.

Critics say the resolution is a political stunt to criticize the Obama administration.