Libya operation will proceed despite pressure from Congress, Obama aide says

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Libya operation will proceed despite pressure from Congress, Obama aide says

The administration plans to keep running military operations in Libya even if

Congress doesn't approve, saying the U.S. role is limited and does not violate

the War Powers Act.

By and Mascaro, Los Angeles Times

June 16, 2011

Reporting from Washington— The Obama administration made clear Wednesday that it

will keep running military operations in Libya even if it doesn't get formal

approval from Congress, contending U.S. involvement is limited to a support role

that does not violate the War Powers Act.

The White House is facing pressure from Congress to clarify U.S. actions in

Libya, where the conflict has settled into a stalemate despite NATO military

efforts launched under a U.N. resolution aimed at protecting civilians. Western

powers insist that Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi step down, but there are few

indications he will do so soon.

Earlier in the week, House Speaker A. Boehner (R-Ohio) sent a letter

reminding the White House that Sunday marks the 90th day of the military

engagement, the absolute limit allowed without congressional approval under the

1973 law.

The White House came out with its defense in an afternoon briefing Wednesday.

White House Counsel Bob Bauer said the U.S. role in the fighting has been

reduced to a point at which congressional approval is not required.

In the early stages of the conflict, the U.S. played a more direct role in the

fighting, including launching cruise missiles in an effort to destroy Kadafi's

forces. Since then, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and coalition

partners have taken a more prominent role, the White House said.

" We're not engaged in sustained fighting. There's been no exchange of fire with

hostile forces. We don't have troops on the ground. We don't risk casualties to

those troops, " Bauer said.

Even without congressional authorization, the White House believes U.S. actions

are consistent with the resolution, Bauer said.

Separately, the Obama administration sent Congress a report showing that through

the first week of June, U.S. military and humanitarian operations in Libya cost

$716 million.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said he

was disappointed with the Obama administration's defense of its military actions

in Libya.

" What they've done is totally drained the reservoir of goodwill by virtue of the

way they're handling this, " he said.

Earlier in the day, antiwar Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) filed a lawsuit in

federal court seeking an immediate halt to U.S. involvement in Libya on the

grounds that it is unconstitutional under the legislation.

" The White House claim that the war is not war is not a legal argument, "

Kucinich said in response to the Obama administration's position. " It is a

political argument. The legal argument will hopefully be addressed by the

courts. "

Corgan, an associate professor of international relations at Boston

University, said such friction is typical of the power struggle between the two

branches of government. History shows that when challenged under the War Powers

Act, the president " usually gets his way, " he said.

" Welcome to the 2012 presidential campaign, " said Corgan, a Navy veteran who has

also taught at the U.S. Naval Academy. " It's curious how back when Bush

was president, all this war stuff was good. Now it's not. This goes on all the

time. You can pin this on either party. "