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| Durbin: Congress Needs to Take Libya Vote |
(IRN) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is backing many of his colleagues in the Senate as in believing that an act of Congress is needed to justify the U.S. military action in Libya.
While the U.S. has gone only so far as launching air strikes, Durbin says a joint resolution authorizing force, barring ground troops and setting an end date should be approved by Congress. Military operations involving Libya have been going on for three months.
"Congress alone has the constitutional authority and responsibility to declare war," Durbin said. "The founding fathers were very clear that before we commit troops in an offensive situation, that the government can only do that with the approval of Congress. Now the Libyan situation is not as clear as some others but I think it’s clear enough that we should pass an authorizing resolution." Durbin says he would vote for it and says what President Obama is doing in Libya is the right thing.
The Obama administration claims that U.S. air attacks against Libya do not constitute hostilities. In a report it reluctantly gave to Congress on Wednesday, the administration said that because the U.S. 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. The 1973 law prohibits the military from being involved in actions for more than 60 days without congressional authorization, plus a 30-day extension. The 60-day deadline passed last month with the White House saying it is in compliance with the law. The 90-day mark is Sunday.
In the meantime, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has maintained his grip on power, and the White House says if the mission continues until September, it will cost $1.1 billion.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 06 18 11 by Newsroom |
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