US House OKs funding for Libya war

The US House of Representatives

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/186116.html

The US House of Representatives has rejected a Republican move to cut funding for American military operations in Libya but slammed President Barack Obama's decision to go to war.

The bill to limit the use of funds was rejected on Friday as 238 members of the House voted “No” to defeat the effort, AFP reported.

"You can't say 'we would like to remove [Libyan ruler Muammar] Gaddafi, we'd like to support the Libyan people, but we're going to offer up resolutions that are going to stop that from happening," said Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

A total of 180 representatives, including 36 Democrats, voted in support of the bill.

The rejected bill would have prevented the drone attacks and airstrikes but allowed the US to continue involvement in the Libyan war by gathering intelligence, refueling NATO warplanes and reconnaissance.

However, the House voted overwhelmingly, 295-123, including 70 Democrats, to deny Obama the authority to continue the Libyan mission for one year. The plan also prohibited the deployment of US ground forces in the North African country.

“We don't have enough wars going on? The war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, we need one more war?” said Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich, who was opposed to the US involvement in the Libyan conflict.

Obama came under severe criticism for failing to get congressional approval for the Libyan conflict, as well as for not laying out the goal and likely duration and costs of the war.

According to the 1973 War Powers Resolution, US armed forces cannot remain in military actions over 60 days -- with a further 30-day withdrawal period -- without getting consent from the Congress.

The incumbent US president says he does not need additional congressional approval, as US forces are simply supporting NATO.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner said Obama “failed to fulfill his obligations.”

Analysts say the Republican-led vote against approving the conflict is mainly a symbolic political move.

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said after the House vote that she expected a different outcome on the authorization vote but was “gratified that the House decisively rejected” the plan to cut funds.