House Votes Against Obama’s Military Action in Libya
- Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:46pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The House on Friday overwhelmingly rejected a measure 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 made a last-minute plea for the mission.
While the congressional action has 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 president’s authority to carry out a military operation. The last time was to limit President Bill Clinton’s authority to use ground forces in Kosovo.
The House planned a second vote on legislation to cut off money for the military hostilities in 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.
Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he supported the president’s authority as commander in chief. “But when the president chooses to challenge the powers of the Congress, I as speaker of the House will defend the constitutional authority of the legislature,” he said.
Some Democrats accused the GOP of playing politics with national security. They said the vote would send the wrong message to Gadhafi.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said the vote would essentially “stop the mission in Libya and empower Moammar Gadhafi.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, White House spokesman Jay Carney expressed disappointment.
“We think now is not the time to send the kind of mixed message that it sends when we’re working with our allies to achieve the goals that we believe that are widely shared in Congress: protecting civilians in Libya, enforcing a no-fly zone, enforcing an arms embargo and further putting pressure on Gadhafi,” Carney said. “The writing’s on the wall for Colonel Gadhafi and now is not the time to let up.”
Carney also dismissed the action as just one House vote.
The defeated resolution mirrors a Senate measure sponsored by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., that Obama has indicated he would welcome. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the resolution on Tuesday.
The second vote to eliminate money for the Libya operation would make an exception for search and rescue efforts, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial refueling and operational planning to continue the NATO effort in Libya. That measure 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 refueling 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, D-Minn., 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. Howard 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 of 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.
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Comments (93)
OneofMany
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:39pmUnfortunately this is as far as the cowards in congress will go. They are all so politically correct they can’t even make a REAL decision. This President is waging war against our country from the top position and congress just sits by like little whips and watches it happen.
Congress, take note, your names will go down in history as the ones who ALLOWED our country to be taken over from within. Shame on you for not being willing to forfiet your career for what is just and right and what you took an OATH to uphold.
Report Post »historypaper
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:38pmObama delivers another public speech as the great philosopher while he continues to daily break his oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution.
Report Post »His followers, the sick humanity group, continues to speak in favor of the Father of Debt and Doubt and the entire world has got his number. The mysteries of Obama were not very deep and they’ve been dug up easily and published around the world.
His sacrilege against the people of the United States and the U.S. Constitution declares that he is the first black liberation president and the last.
Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Hussein Obama continue to malign the free world like Hitler, Stalin, Mao and even Castro.
The historians will sort out their truth as their world guild for One World Order is about to come to a complete stop with violence around the world.
Obama has no sacred knowledge and has proven to be a liar on the greatest scale. Barack is not noble or the political philosopher. Obama is a nut case black liberation fool that has collected dissenters by paying out taxpayer money.
benrush
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:38pmThey better vote against it or they will be OUT
We are studying our Constitution and holding ourselves accountable to it, rising above party and partisanship and standing for principle, something our leaders forgot long ago.
We will restore our sovereignty as a people, and as a country.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:31pmIt should impeach him.
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:31pmIts about time they stand up for the people!
Report Post »CalvinandHobbes
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:29pmAs a retired sailor, (having lived thru 2 wars) I think we have done enough to police the world. Let them stand or let them fall. Let’s bring them home and let them defend our own borders. We have no purpose or reason to be involved with Libya. What have they ever done for us?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:35pmSecond
Report Post »harumph
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:29pmSenate, man up.
Report Post »ENTITLEMENTSBLOW
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:13pmWell well Obummer, looks like you should play by the rules on this one.
Report Post »Notorrius
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:10pmIsn’t this against the law oops forgot in this country if its illegal its fair game forgot geeze.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:09pm“…represents a repudiation of the commander in chief.” Ooooh. Now the Congress is getting warmer. Repudiation is so much closer to Repeal. We’ve got the r, e and p. Now just take that and add “e, a, l“ and you get ”Repeal the commander-in-chief”. It’s the whole Cope & Hang game they started.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:08pmso someone is following the law in Washington shocking!!!!! I guess someone put starch in their shorts!
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:06pmWhat’s this??? Congressmen and women doing the right thing? Go a step further and impeach this bastage for spitting on the Constitution.
Report Post »scoter
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:06pmI SAY Impeach him!!!!! Impeach OB
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:06pmALL RIGHT!!!! Now, we‘re cookin’!
“LET’S ROLL, AMERICA!”
Report Post »It is their RIGHT, it is their DUTY...
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:04pmSomething that should have been done weeks ago…..
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:02pmI vote No confidence
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 3:28pmObama is not to big that he can’t be stopped,We as Americans demanding action aginst him,Lets git-er-done
Report Post »h20sue
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:01pmWe The People, proud “conservatives”…want everything Obama has done and is doing…. stopped!
Report Post »We want him out of our Whitehouse! We’re tired of same sex marriages, we’re tired of liberal media coverage, we’re tired of Obama making our history a mockery. Our history is something to be proud of. Blacks need to acknowledge the Civil War, War Between the States, etc. I am so tired of going in public places and seeing beautiful oil painting of our wars, hidden in locked rooms because the libraries and schools are scared they may insult someone! History is not something to be ashamed of, and if it insults someone, then they need to “get a life”. My kin folk gave their lives for this country, and I’ll be darn if anyone should be ashamed. They need to be thankful they have come this far and work as a team to take back this country. If they don’t start, Latino‘s will soon be taking over this country and it’ll soon be called Mehico-America. Our language is ENGLISH, NOT SPANISH, and by gosh it’s time the nonsense stops. It should never have been started in the first place! We should not have to punch one for English or two for Spanish. If the Latino’s want to live in America, by gosh they need to learn English, and the choosing of which language to speak should end.
I‘m a baby boomer and I’m so tired of what I’m seeing.
Thank goodness the house is finally speaking!!!!!
Sam Brown
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:01pmLybia was attacked by Obama in an act of war. War without cause yet still he isn’t impeached. The corruption is deep.
Report Post »Dakota Hawk
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:01pmIf he resist…start impeachment hearings
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:57pm“Some Democrats accused the GOP of playing politics with national security.” Now that’s rich, Democrats were praying for the surge to fail in Iraq. They did everything they could to undermine that war effort AFTER giving congressional approval.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:57pmYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP IT UP, KEEP IT UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m beyond thrilled !!! MORE !!!!!!!!!
Report Post »fitsgibbons
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:56pmCan we impeach the emperor now?
Report Post »Barry Soetoro
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:53pmImpeach Him!
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:10pmIt’s getting closer every day.
Report Post »But the emperor may have made himself immune to impeachment….
loaded454
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:48pmEven if impeached he would just say that there is a loop whole in the impeachment laws that says he doesn’t have to follow them. He would just stay in the white house and keep giving orders until a mutiny arizes. The best thing we can do is keep pulling out the rug and ride it out. We need to make sure that there is a very clear record of his actions in 2012.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:18amalong with every house member that voted AGAINST de-funding
Report Post »the Drones in Libya
http://www.infowars.com/u-s-house-keeps-libya-funding-fails-to-authorize-mission/
OhSuzieQ
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:53ambanjarmon said,”
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:55pm
Hey Congress…Stop ALL MONIES going to the White house, including BO and Moochers Personal budget!!!”
I’ll go for that!
Report Post »Wdawg
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:49pmPartisan hacks!!!! this is a political move!
Report Post »justafollower
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:07pmEverything is political. We have no damn business being in Lybia. There’s no threat to America, there’s no national interest, and there’s no strategy. I understand that the general public doesn’t get to hear every single piece of intelligence that federal agencies siphon through, but if we’re going to declare war on a nation, well… the nation better know why the hell we’re doing it or we cease to be a government by the people, of the people and for the people. And anything less than that is tyranny, which makes our leader no better than Gaddafi.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:07pmYup, This is a political move to make sure the whole country knows that Obama has no problem overreaching his constitutional authority against the will of the American people.
Report Post »50BMG
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:22pmBy “partisan hacks” I assume that you are referring to Obama and his cabal?
It’s laughable that anyone on the left could accuse anyone else of being a “partisan hack”. Unless, of course, they meant it as a compliment, i.e. imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:49pmtime for all of us real Americans to stand up. look what he is doing to America and he is setting himself up to be Fuhrer. this 100% American family says we want obama STOPPED.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:54pmHmmmm……essentially a vote of ‘no confidence’?
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:55pmHey Congress…Stop ALL MONIES going to the White house, including BO and Moochers Personal budget!!!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 12:56pmOn February 24, 2011 President Obama declared that he would not enforce the “Defense of Marriage Act”. Was Mr. Obama declaring himself a Dictator? Is this our new form of government? http://commonsense21c.com/ A Dictator does not require the approval of Congress!
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:00pmWhat it is “time” for…is for us to demand Palin or West to RUN!
The pack we have now are all non-starters.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:04pm“Some Democrats accused the GOP of playing politics with national security.”
Hmmm… and what exactly did they have to say when Secretary of State Hillary called the Dems in for a closed door meeting on how they should vote?
I’m glad to see this measure get voted down, but why something with absolutely no teeth? Grow a pair, Congress! It’s time to hold this (and EVERY future) president accountable to the Congress, and the people for thier actions.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:07pmThose Democrats who accused them of playing politics with National Security are hypocrites. Did they forget Janet & Border Security, Obama & Arizona Immigration laws, the TSA? Need I continue?
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:07pmMore political posturing on the run-up to an election year. It still has to clear the Progressive-Dominated Senate. The real thing to watch, is IF any concrete action will come from it, even IF it passes the Senate.
Nothing — I am certain of it.
GET MORE OF THESE PROGRESSIVES OUT on the next election cycle.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:08pmWhat a waste of time! The Marxists couldn’t care less about what the House does, and Boehner doesn’t have to the stones to do anything but talk and then whimper.
It’s almost torture to make people with brains have to sit thru this, which also includes the sham about the “vote” for the debt ceiling, like it would ever be voted down anyway. These bozos screw with us because most of us have absolutely no ability to think for ourselves – thanks to the public school system and liberalized secondary education.
So, I see this only getting worse until such point even morons, idiots and imbeciles have to rethink what they have been “taught” to think. How long will that be; 5, 10, 20…50 years???
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:09pm@The_Almighty_Creestof
Yeah, yeah, we know, ron paul-2012, woo-flipping-hoo.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:09pmInteresting point there. What other unconstitutional WH actions is Congress financing?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:10pmExactly, ROGUE,
Report Post »Are they going to slap him on the wrist or actually do something meaningful?
vennoye
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:13pm“Some Democrats accused the GOP of playing politics with national security.” Libya is/will attack us????? Guess that is why they took them off the Terrorist list…..and why Qaddafi was in NY on Sept 23, 2009 at the UN. Money paid off Lockerbie Scotland attack….no justice!
Report Post »Want our military from under NATO control…..bad move…get our military back and defund the action under the UN’s “Responsibility to Protect”, which looks really bogus when you look at Syria!
vincere vel mori
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:15pmGood for the house but the dumpocrat controlled senate wont vote the same, they will support the supreme marxist. This sucks, but not for long, we will vote them out along with crap-mouth, romulan looking obummer. They are wrong, the tea party is getting stronger, more and more people I talk to are waking up, they know why my company has not hired anyone since marxist boy got elected. Its his unpredictable policies. And my company is not a mom@pop shop, we are global, huge.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:16pm^____^____^
Still has to get to the Senate which is in the tank for him. Will be interesting to see how this plays out and what he will do.
@bloody your comment reminds me of Star Wars PM when the Senate did a no confidence vote and put Palpatine into power! I think its just a matter of time until our Palpatine seizes control of this Republic!
@almighty…. I agree this current roster of candidates cant beat BHO’s election machine. IMO Lt. Col West is the Silver bullet to take BHO out! http://tinyurl.com/yhglscs
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:17pm@Bloody Sam:
I do not know if this is a ‘no confidence’ vote as is usual to European and most world style govern bodies. Yet it IS a showing of the strong disapproval of his actions in office, and the way he is doing things to this country.
For some of the other posts:
Is he a dictator yet? No. Not yet, though he is very close to closing all the loopholes and putting into the place the new structure for such power and authority is almost complete. As the window closes, and the progressives realise the end is near, then we need to watch, warn, prepare and pray for the help of providence if they execute a scorched earth policy to bring everything to an end.
America will make it, the only way we will wind up in slavery and an eternal night will be if we fail to take the stand and do nothing to prevent it.
Report Post »The_Bees_Assume
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:18pmThe President is Challenging our very Congress by supporting NATO – helping Foreigners SUCCEED! It is about time we teach these activist Democrats the WE DO NOT need to have Americans overseas. Especially to do Nation Building!
When will these LIBS understand we do not Fight other peoples Wars. We are Opposed to ALL Americans serving overseas, there is NOBODY who wants our boys and girls FIGHTING anywhere in the Middle East.
You don’t see US putting United States “boots on the ground” to kill a bunch of terrorist Arabs!
You don’t see us advocating REGIME Change! You don’t see us spending MONEY without Paying our Bills! And you don’t see OUR presidents defying Congress – or listening to Generals.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:20pmAll well and good but I like a better story about the ethanol subsidies ENDING!! Now I wish we could STOP using food for fuel!!! It’s like riding a pig to office just so I can have bacon for lunch!!
Report Post »Jediusetheforce
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:21pmI want obamama out by any means forth!!!
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:22pmWhy aren’t they telling us what the next step is? This is not a UN resolution. It may well have the opposite of the intended effect. Congress is fast losing power AND credibility.
Report Post »His Lamb is Satanic
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 1:54pmObama is of His lamb. Pitchforks and torches, anyone?
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:12pmOK,,,now it is extremely clear that the American nation does not support the campaign in Libya, nor do the majority of the elected officials support the action. What Obama does now, from this point on, will demonstrate his line of line of thinking. Should he continue with the illegal actions in Libya,,,,he clearly demonstrates his ‘rule’ is that of a dictator. Clearly.
With that, I pray that the elected officials do what they have to do in removing him from office BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. Get into it.
Report Post »skyman002
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:19pmObama has been a communist since 1980. He is using the Alensky metthod(Destroy the country from within with communist tactics) to bring in a socialistic regime communist type. he is doing every thing exactly as a communist would do to destroy this country and economcally People MUST! wakeup and see this!! they WILL loose their FREEDOM
Report Post »During hsi election rallies he promoted Change will this what he meant communist change
Another Stalin!!
skyman002
Sound The Trumpet In Zion
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 2:45pm“We think now is not the time to send the kind of mixed message that it sends when we’re working with our allies”
So the White House is admitting that their allies are the muslim brotherhood and other muslim terrorist groups who want to kill everyone in the world that isn‘t muslim and get rid of a dictator who’s only apparent motive for the past number of years is to be in control of his country while leaving the rest of the world alone.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:12amFunny how Globalist Luciferians Defeated the Bill that would have Stopped
the FUNDING and those stopped Obama.
But they know the Sheep are asleep and will argue how the republicans
voted against the war in Libya and how illegal Obamas war actions are.
Well if you fund an Illegal operation you are just as guilty…. But of
Course both parties do the Bidding of Satan and the NWO bankers
Just like Bachmann supporting the un Patriot act when it looked like they
might actually have been able to Kill It.
The argument that the two parties
should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps,
of the Right and the other of the Left,
is a foolish idea acceptable only
to doctrinaire and academic thinkers.
Carroll Quigley
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:16amHe is not setting himself up, he is being placed and
Report Post »all our govt is working toward a one world govt and right now
China is at the top, I wonder how long the Rothschilds can contain
China ?
http://www.infowars.com/u-s-house-keeps-libya-funding-fails-to-authorize-mission/