House GOP mulls two War Powers resolutions

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- U.S. House Republican leaders drafted two resolutions on Libya -- one ending U.S. involvement and the other authorizing U.S. participation, aides said.

The two measures, which could be voted on this week, are in response to President Obama's determination that he doesn't need congressional consent as provided for in the War Powers Act for the Libyan mission supporting NATO, Politico reported Tuesday.

A bipartisan group of senators, led by John Kerry, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., is drafting a use-of-force authorization, similar to one House option, that would be a congressional sign-off for continued intervention in Libya.

Rank-and-file congressional Republicans and Democrats are increasingly voicing opposition not only to the mission but also to Obama's contention that U.S. involvement -- including airstrikes against Libyan military targets -- doesn't require congressional consent.

It isn't clear whether either resolution could pass the House, Politico said.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said in a statement Tuesday the House Republican Conference would discuss Libya Wednesday.

"It is clear that the Obama administration's claim that targeted bombings, missile strikes and other military actions in Libya do not constitute 'hostilities' under the War Powers Resolution is not credible," the statement said, noting that "even his administration's attorneys from the Office of Legal Counsel and the Department of Defense recognize that."

The Ohio Republican also took Obama to task for failing to make a compelling case for U.S. involvement in Libyan rebels' efforts to overthrow leader Moammar Gadhafi.

"If the commander in chief believes that intervention in Libya is important for our national security, he has a responsibility to make a case for it -- clearly and publicly -- and seek authorization," Boehner said. "In the three months since military action in Libya began, none of this has occurred. The American people deserve to have their voice heard in this debate, and Congress has a responsibility to hold the White House accountable."

Boehner said no one wants to damage the NATO alliance's conducting the airstrikes, but he maintains that the sustained use of military troops in Libya requires Congress' approval under the Constitution, Roll Call said.

The House also will take up the Pentagon appropriations bill this week, giving members another forum to debate the Libya issue. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, an outspoken critic of U.S. involvement in Libya, has indicated he plans to introduce an amendment that would strip funding for the U.S. role in the mission.