House members push for Libya defunding in DOD spending bill

Several members of the House have proposed amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act that would prohibit any funds from being used in military operations in Libya.

The House is expected to begin looking at amendments to the spending bill Wednesday. Several dozen have already been filed, including those from seven members seeking to defund Libya operations.

Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Dan Burton (R-Ind.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Scott Rigell (R-Va.) have all introduced Libya defunding amendments. In addition, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) has an amendment that would prohibit funds from being used in the bill until the administration gets authorization for the use of force in Libya, and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) has an amendment prohibiting funds from being used in violation of the War Powers Resolution.

Cole also has language that would prohibit funding from being used for training or equipment for anyone outside a country's armed forces for use in Libya.

The defunding language follows failed House votes last month to authorize limited operations and to prohibit ongoing activities in Libya.

Other amendments that could be taken up this week would prevent funds from going toward a Hezbollah-dependent government of Lebanon, from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), and deny NATO funding above $408.1 million from Burton. Two amendments, from Burton and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), would prohibit the use of funds in violation of the Defense of Marriage Act.