Rooney Resolution: Obama in Violation of War Powers Act
Requires Withdrawal from Libya unless Congress Authorizes Action by June 19
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) today introduced a resolution declaring that President Obama is in violation of the War Powers Resolution, and requiring the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Libya unless Congress authorizes military action by June 19.
“President Obama is in clear violation of the War Powers Resolution, and he continues to ignore the role of Congress under the Constitution,” Rooney said. “My resolution reasserts the power of the legislative branch and tells the President that if he wants to fight a war in Libya, he needs to make his case to Congress.
“The President claims he does not need authorization because military action is ‘limited’ and led by NATO, but neither the Constitution nor the War Powers Resolution provide any illusion that if an act war is small or NATO-led, then it is not an act of war.
“The President’s initial pledge that military action in Libya would be over in ‘days, not weeks’ has been proven woefully inaccurate, as NATO Commanders just announced that the mission will continue for at least another three months. As the scope of this fight grows, our armed forces deserve a conversation between the President and Congress to explain why it’s critical to send them into harm’s way. Our taxpayers deserve to know how much we’re spending on this war and why it is in our national security interests.”
Under the War Powers Resolution, the President must obtain Congressional authorization for military action that lasts longer than 60 days. If Congress does not authorize military action, the President must withdraw troops within 30 days. The 60-day authorization deadline expired on May 20, and the 30-day withdrawal deadline expires on June 19.
Rooney's resolution is available here.
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