GOP bill would halt US operations in Libya until Congress acts

Two House Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday to force an end to U.S. military operations in Libya unless Congress explicitly authorizes them.

Reps. Timothy Johnson (Ill.) and Justin Amash (Mich.), a freshman, say America's role in the international effort backing Libyan rebels against strongman Moammar Gadhafi is unconstitutional without Congress’s stamp of approval.

Their bill — dubbed the Restoring Essential constitutional Constraints for Libyan Action Involving the Military Act, or RECLAIM — would cut off all funding related to the Pentagon's intervention in the embattled North African country.

Last week, Johnson explained his criticism of President Obama’s decision to enter the conflict.

“Constitutionally, it is indisputable that Congress must be consulted prior to an act of war unless there is an imminent threat against this country. The president has not done so," Johnson said. “Our country has no business enmeshing itself in another country’s civil unrest. We were not attacked. Our national security interests are not at stake.”

Neither Johnson’s nor Amash’s office immediately returned requests for comment.

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