Sen. Levin sees little prospect for Libya vote before August recess

The Senate is unlikely to consider a resolution supporting the Libya military operation before adjourning for its August recess, a key senator told The Hill.

“Oh, I don't see one coming to floor any time on the horizon,” Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said during a brief interview.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pulled a resolution of support earlier this month amid Republican calls to focus on the nation’s debt ceiling and other fiscal matters.

That measure was approved — with minor strings attached to the administration’s actions — earlier this month by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Asked if a resolution will ever come to the Senate floor, Levin said: “It's hard to say.”

The House has passed a measure criticizing President Obama for his handling of the U.S. and NATO operation.

GOP lawmakers in the House argue Obama’s actions violated the War Powers Resolution. Obama contends that because the U.S. is in a supporting role to NATO in Libya, it is compliant with the law.

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