President Obama and Republicans in the House may have some really big differences on counterterrorism policy issues. They include the closing of Guantanamo Bay and using civilian courts to try terrorism suspects, like the accused 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44908.html Politico reports it's a gap that may not be bridged as easily as differences over tax and budget issues.

Human rights advocates have been pushing the administration to go ahead and make decisions about the treatment of alleged terrorists. Looming large over the issue is a relatively new law that requires the president to give 45 days advance notice to Congress before bringing anyone held at Guantanamo bay over to the U.S.

If Obama wants to get new criminal trials going, Congress has what amounts to a month and a half to try to stop him.

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