Hill panel backs limits on detainee transfers

WASHINGTON – A House panel is backing limits on President Barack Obama's authority to transfer terrorist suspects from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to foreign countries.

By voice vote, the House Armed Services Committee early Thursday rejected an amendment to undo the limits. The panel's top Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, sponsored the amendment, saying the U.S. shouldn't hold low-level terrorist suspects for an undetermined period of time.

The committee is working through the night on a Pentagon budget for next year.