The House issued a rebuke to President Obama over his handling of the Libya conflict, passing a Republican resolution with bipartisan support demanding he justify US intervention and provide Congress with more information. A tougher resolution from Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) that would have called on US to withdraw entirely failed in a separate vote.
The GOP resolution was crafted by Speaker John Boehner after Republicans abruptly withdrew Kucinich’s bill on Wednesday out of fears it might unexpectedly pass. Boehner told reporters on Thursday that members of his party had significant concerns about whether the Libya mission was in the country’s best interests. Republican lawmakers were also upset with President Obama for not seeking their permission for the military operation under the War Powers Act, a law that no administration has accepted as constitutional.
The two concerns combined to generate near unanimous support from the GOP caucus — the resolution passed 268 – 245 with only 10 Republicans opposed. 45 Democrats voted for the resolution as well, including newcomer Kathy Hochul (D-NY), who took office this week after winning a special election in NY-26. The Kucinich resolution failed 265-148, with 87 Democrats and 61 Republicans voting “yea.”
Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) opposed both resolutions, but said in a statement that Boehner’s call for the White House to provide Congress with more details on Libya was “both appropriate and necessary” and offered his own rebuke to Obama.
“Clearly the support these resolutions received today demonstrates that Members of the House have not, to date, received sufficient information about U.S. efforts in Libya,” he said. “I hope today’s votes will lead the Administration to provide that additional information.”
