Pakistan

Congress rejects US military action in Libya

Lawmakers voted 123-295 to defeat the measure and moved to take up a companion resolution.

Afp June 24, 2011

WASHINGTON: In a symbolic but scathing rebuke to President Barack Obama, the US House of Representatives on Friday rejected a resolution authorizing US military action in Libya on Friday.

Lawmakers voted 123-295 to defeat the measure and moved to take up a companion resolution aimed at sharply reducing the US role in NATO-led, UN-mandated operations against Libyan strongman Moamer Qaddafi’s forces.

About 70 of the White House's Democratic allies broke with Obama to defeat the measure after a bitter debate shaped by the US public's deep war-weariness after a decade of overseas conflicts, notably in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Just eight Republicans backed the resolution, as members of both parties angrily denounced Obama's decision not to seek congressional permission for the US role in the conflict as required under the 1973 War Powers Act.

COMMENTS (3)

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @sam: Keep dreaming, my friend! The reality is too bleak! @Mirza: This action means nothing. It is a toothless resolution unless it is accompanied with another which cuts funding for any military action in Libya. That is never going to happen considering the messages that would send to NATO and both parties in Libya. Even if it clears all those hurdles, Obama must sign it before it becomes law. What are the chances of that happening? This is the System of Checks & Balances!

sam | 13 years ago | Reply i wish the US could stop with the double standards and take action against the israelis for a change...

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