House rebukes Obama over Libya

By David Jackson, USA TODAY

Updated 3m ago

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By Carolyn Kaster, AP

The U.S. House rebuked President Obama over Libya policy today, voting down a proposed resolution that would grant him authority for the military operation against Moammar Gadhafi.
War critics defeated authorization by an overwhelming vote of 295-123, with 70 fellow Democrats going against the president.
House members are considering a resolution that would cut off some funds for the military operation, in protest of Obama's refusal to seek congressional approval for the action.



"The president has ignored the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, but he cannot ignore a lack of funding," said Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., sponsor of the resolution. "Only Congress has the power to declare war and the power of the purse, and my bill exercises both of those powers by blocking funds for the war in Libya unless the president receives congressional authorization."
The House debate took place hours after a Gallup Poll reported that more Americans oppose U.S. involvement in Libya.


White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama officials are "disappointed" with the House vote that sends "a mixed message."
"Now is not the time to let up on Libya," Carney said.

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By Carolyn Kaster, AP

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he advanced the debate to the floor because "I just believe that because of the president's failure to consult with the Congress, failure to outline for the American people why we were doing this before we engaged in this puts us in the position where we have to defend our responsibility under the Constitution."

A House vote to cuts funds for Libya would not be binding at this point. The Senate is not likely to follow suit and is in fact considering a bipartisan resolution authorizing the mission.


In the Senate, backers of a resolution to authorize the operation wondered whether the administration had waited too long to address the concerns of House members.
A sponsor of that resolution, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., criticized Obama for not seeking congressional approval, but "that is not a reason to pass a resolution that would encourage Moammar Gadhafi to stay in power."
Some House members called the war illegal because Obama has not sought congressional authorization under the War Powers Resolution.




Obama's attorneys said the Libya action doesn't fall under the war powers law because the United States is in a support role to a NATO operation.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged House members to support the military action, arguing that opposition would embolden Gadhafi's efforts to beat back rebel forces.
This week, Clinton said, "Are you on Gadhafi's side, or are you on the side on the aspirations of the Libyan people and the international coalition that has been bringing them support?"
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said the vote would essentially "stop the mission in Libya and empower Moammar Gadhafi."
Ten House members, meanwhile, have sued the Obama administration over Libya, calling it an illegal war.
And 75 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Task Force issued a statement calling for an end to all funding for the Libya operation. They said, "we must recommit ourselves to our Constitutional duty and obligation to hold the purse strings and the right to declare war."


See photos of: Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Libya, Moammar Gadhafi