House votes to defund aid to Libyan rebels, rejects 'use of force' defunding

The House on Thursday took a step toward limiting U.S. involvement in the ongoing military operations in Libya by blocking aid to Libyan rebels, but did not vote in favor of language that would prohibit the use of U.S. military force against Libya.

Members voted 225-201 in favor of an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act from Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) that would prohibit funds from being used to furnish military equipment, military training or advice, or other support for military activities in Libya. That amendment was supported by 177 Republicans, but only 48 Democrats.

Cole's amendment specifically says that: "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Department of Defense to furnish military equipment, military training or advice, or other support for military activities, to any group or individual, not part of a country's armed forces, for the purpose of assisting that group or  individual in carrying out military activities in or against Libya."

According to Cole, that language would prohibit expenditures that support Libya's rebel groups, or that support NATO's effort to support those groups. If signed into law, this language could end up prohibiting these activities once the 2012 fiscal year starts on Oct. 1, 2011.

Immediately after the vote on Cole's language, the House voted 199-229 against an amendment from Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) that would prohibit all funds from being used for military force against Libya.

Amash and Kucinich implored members to vote in favor of their language. Amash said it is "embarrassing" that President Obama is hiding behind explanations that there are no hostilities in Libya that require approval from Congress. Kucinich said the vote is "our moment to reclaim the Constitution of the United States," which holds that only Congress has the power to declare war.

-- This story was updated at 4:15 p.m. to include specific amendment language and again at 4:25 p.m. to clarify the intent of the Cole language.