White House rebuffs Boehner on demand for further Libya information

A White House spokesman hardened the standoff over Libya between President Obama and Congress, saying there will be no further legal rationale provided.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the president "absolutely respects" Congress's desire to be consulted on Libya, but after sending a 32-page report to Congress outlining the White House's reasons for believing that Obama has acted consistently with the War Powers Resolution, Carney said that should suffice.

"I don't anticipate further elucidation of our legal reasoning because I think it was quite clear," Carney said.

Boehner along with both Democrats and Republicans appear to disagree, responding angrily to the White House report after receiving it Wednesday afternoon.

Boehner said that the report did not "pass the straight-face test."

Carney said that the administration provided Congress with an "accurate and sound legal analysis." But noting the long history of debate over the resolution, Carney said the White House does not "expect everybody to agree."

And with Boehner talking about Congress's authority to defund the mission, Carney again warned about Congress "sending mixed messages" that could harm a mission that is showing progress."

Carney also used Boehner's past words against him at the White House daily briefing, reminding reporters that in 1999 when President Clinton intervened in the Balkans, Boehner defended the president and the constitutional authority of the commander-in-chief.

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