Defense

The Obama administration on Wednesday released its much-anticipated report describing the scope of U.S. military operations in Libya and in it said the administration does not believe congressional authorization is needed under the War Powers Resolution to continue operations there.

"The President is of the view that the current U.S. military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization, because U.S. military operations are distinct from the kind of 'hostilities' contemplated by the Resolution's 60 day termination provision," the report said.

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) on Wednesday sharply criticized Iraq's refusal to help pay for the ongoing costs of U.S. military occupation in that country with oil revenues.

Speaking on the House floor, Poe said he raised this question with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his visit to Iraq last week, but was rejected.

"The war has cost billions [of dollars] and thousands of American lives," Poe said. "Since we are building Iraq, and have given them a free democracy, it seems only right that Iraq at least consider paying for part of the cost with future oil revenues.

Both members have argued that Obama failed to seek congressional authority for Libyan military actions

A bipartisan proposal would let the White House liquidate up to $10 billion in Libyan assets to spend on aid.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) on Monday again moved to force the House to vote on language aimed at preventing any government spending in violation of the War Powers Resolution.

Sherman introduced an amendment to the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (VA) appropriations bill, less than two weeks after he forced a similar vote on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. On June 2, the House narrowly rejected Sherman's language in a 208-213 vote.

The House returns at 2 p.m. from a weeklong recess, and resumes work right away on H.R. 2055, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

Members are expected to take up a handful of amendments to that bill Monday afternoon. One amendment is expected to be offered from Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) that would eliminate language that blocks funds from being used to implement an Obama administration executive order that requires project labor agreements for certain construction projects.

Democrats spoke out earlier this month on the need for this change, and are expected to support LaTourette's amendment.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has set a Thursday deadline for the administration to comply with the House's demands on Libya.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has asked President Obama to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if it contains language that delays the end of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits gay service members from openly declaring their sexuality.

Frank made the request in a letter to Obama also signed by three other House Democrats. 

"We believe it would therefore be extremely useful for you to make clear that if the final bill presented to you does include these sections, which would undermine the end to discrimination in the military, that you will veto the bill on that ground," the letter states. 

Debate has begun on two competing resolutions about the Libya mission; GOP pushing for Boehner's.

The House Rules Committee on Thursday night approved a rule governing how House members on Friday will debate two resolutions related to Libya.

Under the rule, Republicans and Democrats will have one hour to debate a resolution introduced by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), which criticizes the Obama administration for failing to seek congressional authorization for continued operations in Libya.