Defense

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) charged on Tuesday that President Obama is in violation of both the Constitution, by sending troops to Libya without consulting Congress, and the War Powers Act, by failing to obtain congressional authorization now that 60 days have elapsed since troops were first sent.

"The war is unconstitutional," he said on the House floor. "The president did not come to this Congress, he went to the U.N. Security Council."

"Last week, the President did not observe the tolling of the War Powers Act, so he's in violation of the statute," he added.

The Obama administration on Monday evening released a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) that said it supports S. 1038, which would extend Patriot Act surveillance authorities until June 1, 2015.

"It is essential to avoid any hiatus in these critical authorities," the SAP said. The Senate on Tuesday resumes consideration of this bill, which is a compromise between Democrats, who wanted a shorter extension, and Republicans, who wanted a longer one.

A small group of House Republicans and Democrats are working together this week to eliminate language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that affirms that the U.S. is in armed conflict with terrorist groups, and authorizes the administration to continue using force against those groups.

Critics of the war against terrorism argue that this language, found in Section 1034 of the bill, is essentially congressional approval for ongoing military activities, and want it stripped. The language lets the president use "all necessary and appropriate force during the current conflict with al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces," and lets the administration hold belligerent individuals "until the termination of hostilities."

The Obama administration on Monday evening released an Executive Order that is meant to implement portions of the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act (ISA).

In a statement released by the White House that was partially read on the House floor, the administration said the order is meant to implement some ISA sanctions that depend on actions by the private sector. This includes prohibiting U.S. financial institutions from making loans or giving credit to sanctionable entities under ISA, engaging in certain foreign exchange transactions, and making payments between financial institutions that would help a sanctionable entity.

The House on Monday approved four non-controversial bills related to the treatment of veterans, with little debate.

By voice vote, the House approved H.R. 1407, which would increase the cost of living adjustment for veterans with service-related disabilities. This bill also extends the Veterans' Administration's ability to provide special housing assistance to veterans.

Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) on Monday evening turned up the pressure on the Obama administration to clarify the U.S. military mission in Libya.

Lugar sent a letter to Obama that insists the administration seek congressional approval for continued operations in Libya. Lugar's letter said the administration had informed Congress on Friday "indicating that U.S. military operations in Libya -- which since April 4 have included suppression and destruction of air defenses and precision strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles -- will continue beyond the 60 day deadline specified in the War Powers Resolution, even though Congress has not authorized these operations."

Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) this week will seek to modify a House-Senate agreement that would extend three expiring Patriot Act surveillance authorities by including more government oversight of these authorities and sunsetting the use of national security letters (NSL) as a basis for justifying intelligence gathering.

Leahy and Paul on Monday announced their amendment to S. 1038, on which the Senate is expected to hold a cloture vote Monday evening. The bill reflects the House-Senate agreement to extend the three authorities until June 1, 2015, without any additional conditions placed on these techniques.

Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on Monday said he expects relatively smooth passage of a bill to extend three expiring surveillance authorities under the Patriot Act.

"As I understand it, there's been a leadership agreement, which I certainly support, to adopt a so-called clean bill on the three provisions that are running out at the end of this week, which are very important to our national security and the war on terrorism," he said after a hearing Monday.

Some members say continued military activities after the 60-day mark would require congressional approval.

House and Senate leaders have reached a deal to extend three expiring Patriot Act surveillance authorities for four years.