10 U.S. lawmakers sue Obama over Libya strikes
President Barack Obama delivers his address on Libya at the National Defense University in Washington, March 28, 2011. / AP
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers is suing President Barack Obama for taking military action against Libya without war authorization from Congress.
The lawmakers say Mr. Obama violated the Constitution in bypassing Congress and using international organizations like the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to authorize military force.
The lawmakers want a judge to issue an order suspending military operations without congressional approval. They said they were filing their lawsuit Wednesday against Mr. Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
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The plaintiffs are Democratic Reps. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, John Conyers of Michigan and Michael Capuano of Massachusetts and Republican Reps. Walter Jones and Howard Coble of North Carolina, Tim Johnson and Dan Burton of Indiana, Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee, Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland and Ron Paul of Texas.
The suit is just the latest clash between Congress and the White House over the Libya intervention.
Rep. John Boehner, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives urged Mr. Obama on Tuesday to explain the legal grounds for the continued U.S. military involvement and set a Friday deadline for the commander in chief's response.
Ratcheting up the pressure, the Ohio Republican said in a letter to the White House that the administration clearly will be in violation of the 1973 War Powers Act this weekend. Mr. Obama did not seek congressional consent for the operation within 60 days of the March 19 U.S. airstrikes against Muammar Qaddafi's forces.
"Either you have concluded the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the mission in Libya or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is contrary to the Constitution," Boehner wrote. "The House and the American people whom we represent deserve to know the determination you have made."
Boehner complained that the administration has provided briefings for lawmakers but has not sought formal authorization. Seeking an explanation, he asked Mr. Obama for answers to constitutional and statutory questions by Friday.
This month, the House voted to rebuke Mr. Obama for failing to pursue congressional approval and accused the president of not providing a "compelling rationale" for the Libyan operation. The House measure also required a report from the administration, due by Friday, on the scope of the Libyan operation, its costs and its impact on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The ongoing, deeply divisive debate originated with a lack of genuine consultation prior to commencement of operations and has been further exacerbated by the lack of visibility and leadership from you and your administration," Boehner wrote.
The White House maintains that it has been in compliance with the War Powers Act and has called the resolutions unhelpful and unnecessary.
Initially the White House brushed off the nonbinding House measure, saying it had provided answers at various briefings. But last week it said it would respond to detailed questions on the U.S. mission in Libya within the deadline.
Responding to Boehner's letter Tuesday, White House national security spokesman Tommy Vietor said, "We are in the final stages of preparing extensive information for the House and Senate that will address a whole host of issues about our ongoing efforts in Libya, including those raised in the House resolution as well as our legal analysis with regard to the War Powers Resolution."
Vietor did not say exactly what form the White House response would take and whether it would be the type of report sought by the House.
NATO commands the operation, but the United States still plays a significant support role that includes aerial refueling of warplanes and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work.
In the Senate, the fate of a resolution signaling support for the operation was in limbo.
Democratic Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said plans for the panel to meet Thursday and write a resolution would be delayed to allow lawmakers to review the White House report. He left open the possibility of action on a resolution next week.
"We just want everybody to see the information and see how it impacts their thinking," Kerry said.
Among the backers of the resolution is Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a leading proponent of military action against Qaddafi, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee and Obama's presidential rival in the 2008 election. McCain warned his Republican colleagues against any steps that would send a positive signal to Qaddafi.
"I caution my friends, both here in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, that we don't want to do anything or pass legislation which would encourage Qaddafi to remain in power," McCain told reporters.
Sens. Jim Webb, a Democrat, and Republican Bob Corker introduced a separate resolution last week that presses Mr. Obama to seek congressional consent for continued U.S. military involvement in Libya and requires the administration to provide a detailed justification for the decision to go to war.
McCain said there are continued signs of deterioration for Qaddafi's hold on power, including high-level defections from his regime.
"I would say to my Republican friends: If this were a Republican president, would you be trying to impose these same conditions?" McCain said.
On Monday, the House essentially voted to prohibit money for the Libya operation, backing an amendment barring the use of any funds in contravention of the War Powers Act. The vote was 248-163 on a spending bill that still must be reconciled with the Senate.
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The only good thing to come out of this is that the USA will soon be as bankrupt financially as it is morally, and then there will be more peace in the world.
Stop Terrorism : BOYCOTT USA and Israel
It is sickening that President Obama continues to shove so many issues down the throats of the American people in contempt of the Constitution.
Gadhafi's planes which would have been slaughtering his own people are not flying so the originally stated goal is achieved. The "expanded" scope, to smash Gadhafi and much of Tripoli including many innocent people, was never presented to Congress and exceeds humanitarianism.
NATO on the whole is suckering Obama to pay for all this, however Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Canada must be commended. It's a humoungus new money pit which cannot be afforded.
Stop Obama.
I thought our country was past the foolishness of letting one leader's emotions decide whether we go to war or become an ally in a war. Libya certainly fits my definition of war, and I don't think I'm too far off how decent folks define war. Our servicemen aren't cannon-fodder for some creep high on his own power trying to punish someone he doesn't like. Half the Bush administration should have been shot for what they did, and now the Obama administration should share that same fate. We were absolutely correct in executing the Nazis for warmongering, and it's time we applied the same principles to our own criminals.
Comments on: 10 U.S. lawmakers sue Obama over Libya strikes
Bipartisan group says president violated Constitution in authorizing military force through NATO; Clash over War Powers Act heats up
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. by 1pheasant1 June 16, 2011 11:43 AM EDT by brianbwb2015 June 16, 2011 6:02 AM EDT
In previous posts, I speculated that Mr. Obama, in his unending zeal to try in vain to get "white" racists to like him, might become liable to answer for illegalities committed under his watch, even if they are the logical continuation of policies began by Bush.
Mr. Obama is now learning that which he should have known from the start, his complexion makes him ineligible for the same free pass that Bush has.
President Obama should know, at least by now, that which more-than-first-generation "black" Americans have known for centuries;
You can rise to the most powerful position in the world, or accomplish superhuman feats, or make the lives of millions better than before you came, but as long as you are a "black" person, even the lowest, most ignorant, racist "white" inbred, beer-bellied, trailer trash waste of oxygen still thinks themselves more human, and thus believe themselves "better" than you.
Just read through some of these posts for proof.
************************************
by DidHeSayThat June 16, 2011 7:13 AM EDT
You are nothing but a race baitor. You are an embarrassment to even the troll community.
************************************
Pheasant:
How is responding to the elements in your party considered race baiting? You hold hands with TeaPartyChris and ProudWhiteTexan, then you bury your head in the sand and act as if it doesn't exist. You have fooled nobody!
by TeaPartyChris June 15, 2011 3:56 PM EDT
Only Ron Paul has the guns to stand up to the negro lobby and the Israel lobby and the jew controlled Federal Reserve. Of course mainstream jew controlled media will try and destroy him.
***********************
Pheasant:
Is that what Ron Paul says? I suspect that TeaSipperChris would like his racism to be Ron Paul's platform. Paul may very well adopt it as his platform to gain TeaSipper's vote! You're not even smart enough to mask your ugliness. Typical Republican.
by ProudWhiteTexan June 15, 2011 3:52 PM EDT
I am so glad that God has brought fourth Michelle Bachmann to rule in these critical last days. She proudley lives for Jesus and what is right unlike the disgraseful porch monkey.
*********************************
Pheasant:
America sees that racism is the motivating factor behind the Republican/Tea Party. ProudWhiteTexan is a typical supporter and voice of their Party. Nice job, Republicans! You must be so proud.
By the way, you may want to open a dictionary and look up the words forth, proudly, and disgraceful. Your Texas education has failed you, although you appear to be slightly smarter than George W. Bush. Reply to this comment .. . by WeHappyFew June 16, 2011 9:39 AM EDT Take some time read the act, people. I'm no lawyer but the case brought will never hold water. Reply to this comment .. . by meboard June 16, 2011 9:18 AM EDT Apparently not much to do around the capitol these days...except launch frivolous laws suits and take pics of one's self in various forms of undress in the House gym?maybe sneak in a quick tanning bed before a cocktail party with the boys or a round of golf with the Pres. Reply to this comment .. by justme2012 June 16, 2011 9:24 AM EDT That is what happens when there is failure of leadership and the POTUS is MIA .
. . by meboard June 16, 2011 9:27 AM EDT You're speaking of the Weeper of the House right justflee2012? .
by justme2012 June 16, 2011 9:09 AM EDT
Typical of most stories on the CBS site, democrats have turned the stories into rants against Fox, Racist slurs, and the constant insults to anyone they don't like.
****************************
Take the time to read the posts submitted by ProudWhiteTexan and TeaPartyChris. Stop holding hands with them and you won't be embarrassed by their racist quotes, or continue to hold hands and whine when you're called out.
In previous posts, I speculated that Mr. Obama, in his unending zeal to try in vain to get "white" racists to like him, might become liable to answer for illegalities committed under his watch, even if they are the logical continuation of policies began by Bush.
Mr. Obama is now learning that which he should have known from the start, his complexion makes him ineligible for the same free pass that Bush has.
President Obama should know, at least by now, that which more-than-first-generation "black" Americans have known for centuries;
You can rise to the most powerful position in the world, or accomplish superhuman feats, or make the lives of millions better than before you came, but as long as you are a "black" person, even the lowest, most ignorant, racist "white" inbred, beer-bellied, trailer trash waste of oxygen still thinks themselves more human, and thus believe themselves "better" than you.
Just read through some of these posts for proof.
************************************
by DidHeSayThat June 16, 2011 7:13 AM EDT
You are nothing but a race baitor. You are an embarrassment to even the troll community.
************************************
Pheasant:
How is responding to the elements in your party considered race baiting? You hold hands with TeaPartyChris and ProudWhiteTexan, then you bury your head in the sand and act as if it doesn't exist. You have fooled nobody!
by TeaPartyChris June 15, 2011 3:56 PM EDT
Only Ron Paul has the guns to stand up to the negro lobby and the Israel lobby and the jew controlled Federal Reserve. Of course mainstream jew controlled media will try and destroy him.
***********************
Pheasant:
Is that what Ron Paul says? I suspect that TeaSipperChris would like his racism to be Ron Paul's platform. Paul may very well adopt it as his platform to gain TeaSipper's vote! You're not even smart enough to mask your ugliness. Typical Republican.
by ProudWhiteTexan June 15, 2011 3:52 PM EDT
I am so glad that God has brought fourth Michelle Bachmann to rule in these critical last days. She proudley lives for Jesus and what is right unlike the disgraseful porch monkey.
*********************************
Pheasant:
America sees that racism is the motivating factor behind the Republican/Tea Party. ProudWhiteTexan is a typical supporter and voice of their Party. Nice job, Republicans! You must be so proud.
By the way, you may want to open a dictionary and look up the words forth, proudly, and disgraceful. Your Texas education has failed you, although you appear to be slightly smarter than George W. Bush.
That said, the 10 members of congress suing Obama are a bi-partisan group who think that our action in Libya without congressional approval is a violation of the War Powers Act. They are seeking to retain the checks and balances given to congress in 1973 to make our executive branch answerable to the citizens of our great nation. This is what they are supposed to do. We are a republic not a dictatorship and we need checks and balances. They do not seem to be against the Libya actions, just against it being done outside the rules of American law. American laws trump international treaties!
Under international law (yes that would be the law used by America, in the UN, to justify attacking Iraq for their illegal yet non existent weapons proliferation) As a permanent member of the UNSC, the US cannot unilaterally use ground troops or declare war in this situation without the backing of a majority of other members.
This intervention in Libya is entirely down to America's membership of NATO and the UN. Not oil, not civilian contracts, nothing other than its duty as a member state. Most of the International Law by which the President acts, has been put before the international community and debated for by previous administrations.
If Americans wish to drag this administration through the mire for it, they must equally be prepared for the US to completely rescind its place in the UN and NATO with immediate effect.