The U.S. House of Representatives rebuked the actions of President Barack Obama on Libya in June 2011 because he failed to provide Congress with a "compelling rationale" based upon national security interests for the military activities in the African Nation.
The non-binding resolution was authored by House Speaker John Boehner and passed by a vote of 268 to 145 on June 3, 2011. Forty-five Democrat supported the rebuke of Obama on Libya and 10 Republicans opposed it.
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"The President has not sought, and Congress has not provided, authorization for the introduction or continued involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Libya," the Boehner resolution read.
Obama on Libya
Obama authorized the Armed Forces to begin a limited military action in Libya "in support of an international effort to protect Libyan civilians" on March 19, 2011. Obama did not seek congressional consent for military action in Libya as called for under the War Powers Resolution.
"I've acted after consulting with my national security team, and Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress," Obama said in announcing his authorizing of U.S. forces to begin action on Libya.
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Still, the War Powers Resolution requires presidents to end military action overseas after 60 days if it has not been authorized by Congress. That deadline passed in Libya on May 20, 2011.
Resolutions Rebuke Obama on Libya
Boehner's resolution was the weaker of two introduced in the House criticizing the actions of Obama on Libya.
The second was introduced by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, and would have required the United States withdraw from Libya within 15 days of its passage. His rebuke of the action of Obama on Libya failed in the House by a vote of 148 to 265 on June 3, 2011. Eighty-seven Republicans supported the Kucinich measure.
Boehner's measure sought detailed information about the decisions made by Obama on Libya, as well as an explanation of why the White House did consult with Congress on the mission. The Boehner resolution suggests the House might hold back on any funding requests for the mission in Libya.
"Congress has the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of the United States Armed Forces, including for unauthorized activities regarding Libya," the resolution reads.
Such a resolution, however, carries little weight as Congress has no authority to enforce a measure that the president hasn't had a chance to veto.
White House Response to Resolutions
White House spokesman Jay Carney, asked about the resolutions condemning the actions of Obama on Libya and asking for detailed information, said most members of Congress are onboard with the underlying principle of the military action there - to oust Muammar el-Qaddafi.
"We believe that the goal the President has is shared by a vast majority of members of Congress. And we have consulted with Congress every step of the way since we have initiated this policy," Carney said.
Asked about the whether the decisions made by Obama on Libya violated the War Powers Act, Carney responded: "We believe we are acting consistent with the War Powers resolution."
Criticism of Boehner Resolution
Some Republicans felt the Boehner resolution did not go far enough in that it did not specifically demand Obama follow the War Powers Resolution and end the military action in Libya.
Rep. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, took to the House floor to criticize what he felt was a watered-down rebuke.
"The greater threat today, in my view, is the perpetual acquiescence of this body in situations such as we face today in Libya, where we tolerate the use of force when the threat to our national security is less obvious," Flake said.