House refuses to give Obama authority to continue US military mission in Libya

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House refuses to give Obama authority to continue US military mission in Libya

By Donna Cassata, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – 1 hour 1 minute

ago

WASHINGTON - The House on Friday overwhelmingly rejected giving President Barack

Obama the authority to continue the U.S. military operation against Libya, a

major repudiation of the commander in chief.

The vote was 295-123, with Obama losing the support of 70 of his Democrats one

day after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had made a last-minute plea

for the mission.

While the congressional action had no immediate effect on American involvement

in the NATO-led mission, it was an embarrassment to a sitting president and

certain to have reverberations in Tripoli and NATO capitals.

The vote marked the first time since 1999 that either House has voted against a

military operation. The last time was over President Bill Clinton's authority in

the Bosnian war.

The House planned a second vote on legislation to cut off funds for the

operation.

House Republican leaders pushed for the vote, with rank-and-file members saying

the president broke the law by failing to seek congressional approval for the

3-month-old war.

" The president has operated in what we now know is called the zone of twilight

as to whether or not he even needs our approval, " said Rep. Tom Rooney, a

Republican. " So what are we left with? "

Some Democrats accused the Republicans of playing politics with national

security. They said the vote would send a message to Libyan leader Moammar

Gadhafi.

Rep. Adam , the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee said the vote

would essentially " stop the mission in Libya and empower Moammar Gadhafi. "

The defeated resolution mirrors a Senate measure sponsored by Sens. Kerry,

a Democrat and McCain, a Republican, that Obama has indicated he would

welcome. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution on

Tuesday.

The second House mdeasure is a bill to cut off funds that would make an

exception for search and rescue efforts, intelligence, surveillance,

reconnaissance, aerial refuelling and operational planning to continue the NATO

effort in Libya. It has no chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

House Republicans and Democrats are furious with Obama for failing to seek

congressional authorization as required under the War Powers Resolution. The

1973 law, often ignored by Republican and Democratic presidents, says the

commander in chief must seek congressional consent for military actions within

60 days. That deadline has long passed.

Obama stirred congressional unrest last week when he told lawmakers he didn't

need authorization because the operation was not full-blown hostilities. NATO

commands the Libya operation, but the United States still plays a significant

support role that includes aerial refuelling of warplanes and intelligence,

surveillance and reconnaissance work as well as drone attacks and bombings.

A New York Times report that said Obama overruled some of his legal advisers

further incensed members of Congress.

In a last-ditch effort Thursday, Clinton met with rank-and-file Democrats to

explain the mission and discuss the implications if the House votes to cut off

funds. The administration requested the closed-door meeting.

Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said Clinton apologized for not coming to Congress

earlier. But he said she warned about the implications of a House vote to cut

off money.

" The secretary expressed her deep concern that you're probably not on the right

track when Gadhafi supports your efforts, " Walz said.

Rep. Berman of California, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs

Committee, said such a vote " ensures the failure of the whole mission. "

Earlier this week Clinton said lawmakers were free to raise questions, but she

asked, " 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? "

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.

" It's way late, " said McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services

Committee. " This is one of the reasons why they're having this veritable

uprising in the House, because of a lack of communication. And then the icing on

the cake was probably for them when he (Obama) said that we're not engaged in

hostilities. That obviously is foolishness. "

He added, however, " That is not a reason to pass a resolution that would

encourage Moammar Gadhafi to stay in power. "

Earlier this month, the House voted 268-145 to rebuke Obama for failing to

provide a " compelling rationale " for the Libyan mission and for launching U.S.

military forces without congressional approval.