President Barack Obama, facing criticism from some lawmakers that U.S. military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is about to become illegal, said Friday the mission would benefit from congressional support.
Obama did not explicitly ask Congress to authorize the action he ordered in March to protect Libyan civilians, as his critics say is demanded by the 1973 U.S. War Powers Act.
Instead, he suggested U.S. involvement in Libya was now so limited that Congress's authority was not needed.
If even one tanker airplane is supporting the mission, you need to go to Congress. That's what the WPA says. It's your job to lead on this one, Bambi, so send a resolution to the Congress and ask for their support. You'll likely get it. But then you're on the hook, which is what you're trying to avoid.
As usual. |
"I wish to express my support for the bipartisan resolution ... which would confirm that the Congress supports the U.S. mission in Libya and that both branches are united in their commitment," the president said in a letter to top lawmakers.
"It has always been my view that it is better to take military action, even in limited actions such as this, with Congressional engagement, consultation, and support."
Obama notified Congress on March 21 he had ordered military action against Libya as part of a multinational coalition.
That made Friday the 60-day deadline to seek congressional authority for the action under the War Powers Act. But the White House indicated it did not view the current level of U.S. military involvement in Libya as reaching that threshold.
"This is a narrow U.S. effort that's intermittent and is principally to support the ongoing NATO-led and U.N. authorized mission," a White House official said. "The U.S. role is also not only one of support but the kinetic pieces of that effort are intermittent." |