Boehner's Libya resolution blasts Obama for failure to seek military authorization

A resolution introduced Thursday by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) directly criticizes the Obama administration for failing to seek congressional authorization for continued operations in Libya, and would require the administration to report on its justification for doing so.

The House Rules Committee will approve a rule for the resolution, H.Res. 292, Thursday evening. A rule will also be approved for a resolution from Rep. Dennis Kucinich (R-Ohio) that would direct the administration to remove all troops from Libya. Votes on both resolutions could take place Friday.

"The President has failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale based upon United States national security interests for current United States military activities regarding Libya," Boehner's resolution says.

It would also instruct the administration that no ground troops can be used in Libya except for limited rescue missions. It would also require the administration to provide a record of all communications related to Libya before the military started helping to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya in mid-March.

Additionally, Boehner's resolution would require the administration to submit a report within two weeks that details U.S. security interests in Libya, including a description of the president's "justification for not seeking authorization by Congress for the use of military force in Libya."

The report would also have to detail U.S. objectives in Libya, the anticipated scope and duration of operations there, and estimated costs.

The findings section of the bill states the case bluntly that Congress must be involved in decisions related to Libya at this point. It finds that Obama "has not sought, and Congress has not provided, authorization for the introduction or continued involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Libya."

It also finds that "Congress has the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of the United States Armed Forces, including for unauthorized activities regarding Libya."