House, Senate Republicans introduce Libya resolutions

Republicans from the House and Senate have introduced resolutions declaring that the Obama administration has exceeded its authority under the War Powers Act by keeping U.S. troops engaged in Libya for more than 60 days.

The House resolution, H.Con.Res. 53, was introduced Tuesday by Rep. Scot Garrett (R-NJ). The Senate resolution, S.J.Res. 14, was introduced Monday by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and was placed on the Senate calendar Tuesday night.

Paul's office did not immediately respond to questions about whether his resolution might come up for a vote in the Senate. On the other side of the issue, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) have introduced a resolution indicating support for ongoing operations in Libya.

Under the War Powers Act, the president can commit U.S. troops without congressional approval, but only for 60 days. Some members believe the Obama administration violated the act because the 60-day period expired last week and Obama sought no approval from Congress.

Others, such as Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), believe the War Powers Act was never an appropriate justification for the military operation in Libya in the first place because it only allows troops to be committed by the president in cases of immediate threat to the United States.