DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts says he’s placing a hold on President Barack Obama’s nominee for the secretary of the Army, Eric Fanning, to prevent the White House from taking executive action to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer detainees to the United States.

Roberts and the five other Republican lawmakers who make up the congressional delegation from Kansas on Wednesday condemned the Obama administration’s refusal to rule out taking executive action to close the prison in Cuba.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that Obama wants to work with Congress to close Guantanamo Bay, but “if Congress continues to refuse,” the president will explore all other options.