House Republicans overplay their hand on Libya

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

An ambitious Republican bill to repudiate the president's mission in Libya failed today, 238 to 180, after 89 Republicans and 149 Democrats voted against cutting off funding for hostile activities in Libya.

"The most powerful nation in the world shouldn't stand by while innocent women and children are being mowed down," argued Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison.

Republican leaders took a gamble on the tough legislation, which they crafted after a weaker measure that would have called on the president to halt hostile actions in Libya didn't pass muster with a number of House Republicans at a meeting on Wednesday. But the new bill clearly went a step too far for a significant segment of House Republicans who, while they disapprove of the way the president has handled the conflict in Libya, did not want to cut off funding for troops.

"Don't let a dispute between the legislative branch and executive branch result in us pulling the rug out from standing up for freedom," urged Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R.-Ill. "America has a responsibility to finish this through."

Anti-war Democrats who might have been willing to vote for the weaker resolution were also reluctant to sign on to the bill, and in the end only 36 voted yes. Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich was one of them, noting in his floor speech that "I have been all over this country, and I haven't had a single person come up to me to tell me you know, Dennis, what America needs is another war!"

Neither measure had a chance of passing the Democratically-controlled Senate, and both were primarily designed to send a message of disapproval to President Obama, who many members from both sides believe did not adequately consult with Congress about the Libya mission.

"There are a lot of bad guys in the world, and if we start picking them off one at a time we will be at war with most of the world," contended Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas.

Member after member complained that the president has failed to answer a number of basic questions about the operation there.

"Why is removing Qaddafi a part of this mission? What if he doesn't leave? Who are the rebels that we're there helping to fight? How long is this going to last and at what cost and what does success look like?" asked House Speaker John Boehner, R.-Ohio.

Despite the surprise defeat of the legislation, Republicans put a positive spin on the day's events, noting that a bill that would have funded the Libya operation for a year also failed. "Taken together, these votes illustrate the unfortunate failure of the White House to make the case for this operation to the American people and the Congress," said Michael Steel, a spokesperson for Boehner.

[pasha128]

Congrats for Speaker Boehner for handing Obama two wins as the house failed to defund Libya and failed to condemn Libyan intervention -- Speaker Boehner lost significant numbers in his own party on those votes as he clearly is not in sync with his own party. Soon he will be selling out the Tea Party siding with the Democrats to raise the debt limit again with a significant number of Republicans that want to continue their TRILLION dollar spending sprees still present even after the TEA PARTY campaigned against them. Then there is the Republican proposal to raise taxes to pay for yet another corporate bailout returning the unnecessary and duplicative expense of Medicare Advantage to the federal budget. Are private insurers less expensive or more expensive than Medicare -- if they need Medicare Advantage as the current Republican congress persons claim to cover seniors they are clearly more expensive.

[euge005]

Just like the GOP leadership to say Obama has not made the case. He has and repeatedly made the case, the GOP is not listening and refused to admit that the Pres has been prudent & responsible. Buckeyechuck has the story accurately told. The GOP have taken their ball and gone home-back to the Koch brothers who finance them and ream the nation for subsidies at the cpst of a middle class.

[nearl451]

I guess its a good thing to understand the extemes (the two bills presented) and where the House stands relative to those extremes.

It could be summed up as "Not Happy" that the process and action occurred as it did; "Not unhappy enough" to really change course on anything related to Libya.

Now they maybe can get to work on something else?

[dustin93sc]

The House allows Barack's obesiance to Abu Dhabi. They insist that Libya will come under their control as an OPEC state.

[southpaw99]

What I think we really need to know from the media is:
Who is making money off this endless war? That would be interesting reading.
Its always about the money, nothing else.

[bradkt1]

Just more mindless political posturing by a House of Representatives that only seems to be capable of mindless political posturing. If they were serious, they would hacve defunded Lybia, but they don't want to take any responsibility. They just want to grandstand.

Ever since the GOP won control of the House in November, they have accomplished exactly ZERO...NADA...NOTHING!...

except mindless political posturing.

[tellingthestory]

I am glad the Liberals like their president the Gun selling to the drug Cartels war mongering killer of the innocents , failed leader and worst president in history that openly ***** on the US constitution with almost every decision he makes. It says a lot about how Liberalism is a brain disorder. Everyone in America is worse off than they were in 2006 by a factor of 10 and still the Liberals bow to their Liberal GOD of destruction. Anyone want to argue that is not insane?

[southpaw99]

What I think we really need to know from the media is:
Who is making money off this endless war? That would be interesting reading.
Its always about the money, nothing else.

How is that for telling the story?

[tellingthestory]

The REAL NEWS that CBS of course will mot print.
The president is facing political trouble in his own party when it comes to national security as he faces backlash over his Afghanistan withdrawal plan and the U.S. military campaign in Libya.
The only overplaying of hands is OBAMA not the GOP as CBS would lead you to believe. However since they are the sworn protector of their Liberal GOD Obama it is to be expected from CBS.

[pasha128]

Obama's problems are minimal with his own supporters it really seems that you are the one with the unfulfilled issues. Are you upset the Republicans plan to increase taxes to bring back overpayments in the form of corporate bailouts for the private sector for Medicare. Because Private insurers need A BONUS in order to offer coverage to seniors under the medicare advantage program the democrats cut as excessive and duplicative payments for the same services..

[euge005]

The signs of trouble within the Democratic base just show how morerate and reasolnable Obama actually is. But in any comparison of Obama's agenda for progress and what the GOP has, I can understand some hero worship. It is quite justified.

[BuckeyeChuck]

The bottom line is, if it's good for the average American the republican's are against it. In trying to make Obama fail all of America fails.

[tellingthestory]

Your head is screwed on backwards. Obama is the worst thing ever for America and anything that can be done to stop his utter insanity is GOOD no GREAT for America.

[svivar9087]

Instead of obstructing and kissing behind.

The GOP needs to concentrate on creating jobs. A tough task,
but one that should be there focus of attention.

And forget trying to cram this trickle down illusion down our throat, history tells us it does not work !

[tellingthestory]

They are concentrating on jobs by trying to KEEP OBAMA and the DEMOS from destroying even more jobs.

[euge005]

And one of the GOP canidates to replace our Pres actually mentioned the trickle down theory in the last debate. The moderator let it slide as if it were a legitimate goal. They never learn and frankly do not care that it is a failed enconomic model. It benefits the 3% of the people that have most of the ewealth and those are the ones that control all the sheepel on the far right.