Votes on Libya: Congress Wary of Third War

Today the House of Representatives voted on two resolutions regarding U.S. involvement in Libya. There is clearly concern about Libya in Congress and a desire to limit further escalation of our war activities. Congress, however, was not willing to require the President to halt all action in Libya.

The House voted  268 to 145, with 1 voting 'present', to approve a resolution offered by House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and requiring reports to Congress about Libya activities.

• See how your Representative voted here.

Representative Dennis Kucinich’s (D-OH) resolution directing the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya within 15 days under the War Power Resolution was defeated 148 to 265.

• See how your Representative voted here.

It is notable that some members of Congress chose to vote against the Boehner resolution because they favored the more restrictive resolution offered by Rep. Kucinich (D-OH).  Rep. Boehner’s resolution was hastily developed yesterday to counter support for the Kucinich resolution. Representatives had been able to review the language of the Kucinich resolution for almost two weeks.

An amendment adopted last week to the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) barring funds for deploying U.S. troops or private security contractors on the ground in Libya -- except for rescue of U.S. troops in imminent danger -- passed overwhelmingly, 416 to 5.

• See how your Representative voted here.

To learn more about the NDAA and important amendments, see WAND’s summary Defense Bill Debated in the House.

Next week the House is on recess, while the Senate will be back in session. Sometime this month the Senate is expected to consider legislation expressing support of the President’s actions in Libya.