House to vote on resolutions critical of U.S. role in Libya

Faced with a caucus that has grown increasingly restless over American military efforts in Libya, House Republican leaders have scheduled votes Friday on two resolutions critical of U.S. involvement in the nation’s internal conflict.

The first, brought forth by Speaker John A. Boehner, would rebuke President Obama for failing to make clear the U.S. mission in Libya and for allegedly violating the War Powers Act in committing U.S. power to support the NATO-led mission. But it would set no timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces.

That resolution was crafted by Boehner’s office amid fears that a more sweeping resolution from antiwar Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) could pass the House. Kucinich’s plan would direct an almost immediate removal of U.S. forces.

Both resolutions will be voted upon—and it’s the hope of GOP leaders that Boehner’s resolution will pass rather than Kucinich’s.

“The Kucinich measure would have long-term consequences that are unacceptable, including a precipitous withdrawal from our role supporting our NATO allies in Libya -- which could have serious consequences for our broader national security,” Boehner said in a statement late Thursday.

Boehner made similar remarks Thursday in a special meeting of the GOP caucus, a Republican aide said.

Republicans and Democrats alike on Capitol Hill have complained that Obama hasn’t sought congressional authorization for the use of military force in Libya as required under the War Powers Act, and that U.S. goals in the conflict remain murky.

Boehner’s proposal states that the president “has failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale based upon United States national security interest for current United States military activities regarding Libya.”

It asks the White House to provide a clear statement of American objectives in the nation, demands that the president seek authorization for further U.S. operations, seeks to limit any use of ground troops, and warns that the House, if dissatisfied, could cut off funds for the campaign.

At his weekly news conference Thursday, Boehner said that the budget-hawkish House was worried about the price tag of the Libyan operations, given the high cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Members are a bit weary about the amount of money we’ve spent in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and that we’re spending in Libya, and as a result, really are wondering what’s our vital national security interest there,” the speaker said. “I really do believe that the president needs to speak out in terms of our mission in Afghanistan, our mission in Iraq, our mission in Libya. And the doubts that our members have, frankly, are reflected -- they’re reflecting what they’re hearing from their constituents.

“And I think the president has a role to play here, and the president really does need to step up and help the American people understand why these missions are vital to the national security interests of our country,” Boehner said.

At the White House, Press Secretary Jay Carney criticized the proposed resolutions, saying the mission in Libya, which involves air patrols and selective bombing strikes, was working. He emphasized that the U.S. role remained limited.

“From our vantage point, there is pretty unified support in Congress for a policy that calls for the [Moammar] Kadafi regime to remove itself from power, and we have seen in the actions that this administration has taken enormous amount of progress towards that end,” Carney said.

The president “has also done exactly what he said he would do when he initiated action -- kinetic action, if you will, military action -- against Libya as part of the NATO coalition. At the time he said we would take the lead in this NATO action, and our lead role would be limited to days not weeks. There was skepticism about that,” Carney said. “He delivered on that promise and did exactly what he said. NATO has been in the lead for a long time now.”

The Obama administration supports a Senate resolution sponsored by Sens. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that authorizes the limited use of force in Libya.

Under the War Powers Act, a president can send troops into combat for just 60 days absent congressional approval. That deadline passed this month.

In what could be a portent of things to come, the House on Thursday narrowly defeated an amendment offered by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif) that sought to restrict funds for the Libya effort. The vote was 213 to 208.

james.oliphant@latimes.com

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com