House GOP considers measures to rebuke action in Libya

Republican House leaders will meet later today to discuss whether to try to constrain the ability of President Obama to continue military operations in Libya.

Republicans, frustrated with what they see as a lack of consultation by the president, are considering a variety of legislative measures, from a resolution rebuking the president to an amendment similar to the one introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) to cut off funding for the war.

"The fact that the White House ignored the advice of the Justice Department and flouted the War Powers Resolution calls for some serious accountability. We're discussing all available options with our members to hold the administration to its obligations," said Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for House Speaker John Boehner.

White House spokesman Jay Carney argued such a move might hurt NATO's mission in Libya. "At a time when Colonel Qaddafi is under great pressure, and our allies are bearing a considerable -- considerable burden of the effort, it would send a bad message to both Qaddafi and to our friends around the world to... have a vote like that."

Earlier this month, House Republicans picked up enough Democratic support to pass a resolution calling on the White House to clarify the mission in Libya and provide legal justification for engagement there.

The White House responded with a 38-page report, defending the NATO operation and noting that U.S. forces are not engaged in "sustained fighting" with hostile forces.

Any measure that passes the House is unlikely to gain much traction in the Senate, where Republicans have been far more reluctant to question the operation in Libya. "Congress should sort of shut up," Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on NBC's "Meet the Press." The debate, he argued, would only encourage Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi to continue his resistance.

[meboard]

by justme2012 June 21, 2011 9:47 AM EDT
"It's the DNC's time to kill some people in an illegal war."
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Free pass from justme2012...go ahead and rape kill pillage and burn. Justme2012 says "OK!"

[justme2012]

by meboard June 21, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
..go ahead and rape kill pillage and burn.

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meboard now wants boots on the ground to punish the Libyans.

[meboard]

by brianbwb2015 June 21, 2011 9:48 AM EDT
@justme2012

So where were the baggers when Bush was doing worse, presenting lies as reason to commit genocide? (Lying to congress was, last time I checked illegal, just ask Clinton.)

And you baggers wonder why everyone sees you for the racists you are.
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And Bush's use of auto-pen bill signings...

[bantamei]

It would be nice if the right wingers would make up their collective mind. At first they are for it, and now they are against it.

[justme2012]

It's not about the war...

It's about the legality of the war.

Obama has broken the law.


Why couldn't he just do it legally???

Everyone was behind him, but then he decided that HE, OBAMA, is above the laws of our country.

[meboard]

GOP!!! Where has the outrage gone over auto-pen bill signings!!!! Get back on target! Stop Obama's auto-pen signing binge!!!! America deserves a real signed x-mas card!

[justme2012]

That is on a different blog. Are you lost again?

[ddaryl]

Where are the jobs GOP..

and the democrats did try to create jobs and there were jobs created with the stimulus.. but now that is dried up..

SO at least the dems did create some jobs. Could of been more with a heftier stimulus and bigger infrastructure projects that republicans blocked .. GOP no job bills just attacks on planed parenthood and other ridiculous BS

[justme2012]

Obama said there is really no such thing as "shovel ready"..

It was all a lie.

[nottblu]

GOP has the majority in one house of congress for six months and you are blaming them???? The dems had control of both for four years and the unemployment rate rose steadily and continues too. It doesn't matter how many jobs are created if more are lost every month, get a friggin perspective and take off the hate goggles.

[solardiva]

These guys are a bad joke. When the smoke clears from the mirror... http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2011/06/08/natos-alternate-universe-in-libya.html and mean time back at the farm - http://www.truth-out.org/obama-deregulates-gmo-crops-despite-supreme-court-injunction/1307023149 Is is any wonder people woke up yelling this morning?

[Birdman04]

More of the same with politicians on both side of the aisle playing games and posturing with the good decent taxpayers caught in the middle and still nothing gets accomplished.

Both sides are disgusting and I am convinced neither have any clue what they are doing. They are all too busy blaming each other and acting like fools rather than sitting down like adults and doing the job they are being paid to do.
They can all kiss my lily white ass.

[meboard]

by DJ_Independent June 21, 2011 9:04 AM EDT
Because I am tired of you democrats yelling about Jobs. When YOUR party had control they did nothing to create Jobs. Now you are yelling because the other party is doing nothing.
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ITS NOT JUST US DEMS THAT ARE YELLING ABOUT JOBS...ITS REPUB (the poor ones like you), GREEN PARTY, TEA PARTY, LIBETARIANS, SAVE THE EARTH PARTY, BULL MOOSE PARTY. We're all out of work and desperate for the GOP to save us as they PROMISED!!!!!! HELP US GOP...HELP...HELP...We're waiting!!!

[rightbehind]

Libya is already over. The republicans are mad because they couldn't turn it into a 1.4 trillion dollar occupation quagmire like Iraq and Afghanistan.

[nottblu]

So you are in agreement with the fact that the President of The United States can go to war on the orders of the UN without any congressional pre-approval? Wow, that's a real turn around for you.

[justme2012]

Over?

Tell that to the kids that died the other night.

[usunus]

The Libyan action could be illegal.But primarily it is stupid for singling out Gaddafi for the chronic evils in the region.Obama was foolish in following Sarkozy and Cameron.