Lawmakers Mock Obama's Claim Of No Hostilities For US In Libya, But White House Pushes Back

[Purveyor]

By DONNA CASSATA | Associated Press | 23 minutes ago in Politics

Republicans and Democrats on Thursday derided President Barack Obama's claim that U.S. air attacks against Libya do not constitute hostilities and demanded that the commander in chief seek congressional approval for the 3-month-old military operation.

In an escalating constitutional fight, House Speaker John Boehner threatened to withhold money for the mission, pitting a Congress eager to exercise its power of the purse against a dug-in White House. The Ohio Republican signaled that the House could take action as early as next week.

"The accumulated consequence of all this delay, confusion and obfuscation has been a wholesale revolt in Congress against the administration's policy," said Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee who has backed Obama's actions against Libya.

The administration, in a report it reluctantly gave to Congress on Wednesday, said that because the United States is in a supporting role in the NATO-led mission, American forces are not facing the hostilities that would require the president to seek such congressional consent under the War Powers Resolution.

http://www.newser.com/article/d9nt645o0/lawmakers-mock-obamas-claim-of-no-hostilities-for-us-in-libya-but-white-house-pushes-back.html

[JoePhilly]

1. WOW ... the GOP found a military action they don't agree with.

Who could see THAT coming.

[Pirate Smile]

3. They are going to get more love letters from Gadhafi, I bet.

[Wilms]

4. Doubt it. Saddam never sent one to any of us at DU.

:eyes:

[Pirate Smile]

5. But Ghadafi already sent one to Boehner and Congress.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/10/gaddafi-letter-congress-obama-libya-_n_875050.html

[Wilms]

7. You're right.

"We are confident that history will see the wisdom of your country in debating these issues."

Such a quaint notion.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. A cynic might offer that Commander Smirky has demonstrated the way to handle this situation

Obama & Co. can always start to amp up the fear with reports of "dangerous chatter" or exploding Hannah Montana dolls or some such other sensational soundbite.

It is rather stunning to watch the Obama Admin.'s efforts at protecting and expanding the concept of an Imperial Presidency.

[MrTriumph]

6. And when the administration states China does not currency cheat they clam up. Go figure.

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