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WASHINGTON — the House is sending mixed signals on military action against President Barack Obama, vote to Libya prohibit arms and training to rebels trying to oust Muammar al-Gaddafi, but stop short of trying to cut off money for participation in the NATO-led mission.
In a series of votes Thursday, Republicans and Democrats expressed their dissatisfaction with the operation of Libya, now in its fourth month with no end in sight and waning support from some countries in the international coalition. The Parliament voted to bar military aid to the rebels but moments later rejected efforts to prevent the financing for the Mission of U.S. limited.
The ratings reflect the contradictory actions of the House last month, when regulators refused to approve the operation, but refused to cut off the money.
The latest voting House came on amendments to a spending bill that lawmakers hoped to finish on Friday defence 649 billion. The overall measure that cover their arms and warships, fighters and bombers, military personnel and pay 9 billion less than Obama requested but 17 billion dollars, more than current levels.
Covers the Pentagon budget as from 1 October, but must be reconciled with a Senate version yet completed.
Congressional unrest over Libya derives from a stalemated civil war and Obama's contention that he did not need Congressional authorization to engage in another war on Afghanistan and Iraq because the fight against Libya not full-fledged hostilities. War between NATO allies, Italy announced that it was reducing its holding to the campaign by removing an aircraft carrier in the region and pulling thousands of troops.
"Libya is not attacked us. Libya not attacked NATO, "Republican Tom Cole, R-Okla., said. "However much we don't detest Mr. Gadhafi and his regime, we have no reason to be at war."
The House voted for an amendment sponsored by Cole bar the Pentagon from providing "military equipment, training or consulting or other military activities" to a group, such as the rebel forces for the military action against Libya or 225-201.
Forty-eight Democrats supported the Republican-sponsored measure.
The intent of the measure was to prohibit aid to the rebels as their weapons and assistance to the Transitional National Council, including the operational planning. The broad effort would also target contractors in Libya.
Obama has already authorized 25 million dollars in assistance to the rebels, including thousands of meals ready to eat rations from stocks of the Pentagon. The United States has also provided some 53 million dollars in humanitarian aid. Neither would be affected by the law.
Moments after that vote Thursday, the House rejected a measure that would have prohibited funding for the army continue its limited role. The vote was 229-199, with 67 Democrats breaking with the Administration to support the amendment.
"This is our moment to claim the Constitution of the United States," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, who co-sponsored the amendment with freshman Rep Justin Amash, R-Mich. "we have the power to determine when to go to war, not some power rebel in Benghazi."
Lawmakers argue that Obama violated the war powers resolution of 1973, which requires a President to seek Congressional approval within 60 days of the first military strikes, a move that has not made the Commander in Chief.
In a reflection of Congressional anger toward the Administration, the House has voted overwhelmingly for an amendment that forbids spending that violates the war powers resolution and focuses on future military operations.
The House rejected two other efforts to prohibit funds for the functioning of the United States military in Libya.
Senator John McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the House vote on aid to the rebels, claiming that sends the wrong message to Gaddafi and those challenging the longtime leader.
"I am saddened by the abandonment of traditional American support for those who struggle for freedom and democracy, which was a feature of our Republican party for decades," said the Arizona Republican, who travelled to Benghazi in April to meet with the rebels.
Since NATO took command of the operation Libya at the beginning of April, the U.S. has been largely limited to support efforts such as intelligence, surveillance and electronic warfare. The United States launched attacks drone and other strikes, flying sorties over 3,400.
The Senate has delayed consideration of a resolution authorizing the U.S. Mission in Libya.
In the midst of negotiations to cut spending and increase the nation's debt limit, the House rejected several amendments to cut the budget of the Pentagon, including a measure by Rep. Barney Frank, D-mass., half of the spending bill on level this year on defense.
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