Washington, May 26 (ANI): With US President Barack Obama missing a legal deadline for obtaining the permission of the US Congress to go ahead with military operations in Libya, Democrat and Republican legislators have criticised Obama for disregarding the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
The Washington Post quoted House of Representatives Republican member Justin Amash, as saying: "The undeniable conclusion is that the president is breaking the law by continuing the unilateral offensive war against Libya."
The conservative freshman from Michigan was testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and proposed introduction of a bill that would cut off funding for U.S. efforts in Libya until Obama obtains congressional authorization.
"The tragedy, for our system of self-government, would be if Congress continued to do nothing," he said.
Friday was the 60th day since Obama notified Congress that U.S. forces were joining in attacks on Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.
Under the War Powers Resolution, he was supposed to obtain Congress's authorization by that point or stop the operation.
He did neither. Instead, Obama sent a letter to Congress urging that it pass a resolution of support.
The Senate is considering such a resolution, but it won't be voted on until after the weeklong Memorial Day recess.
In all, American aircraft account for about a quarter of the roughly 150 missions flown each day by NATO forces.
The White House and the Pentagon have said repeatedly that they will not deploy U.S. ground troops or trainers to Libya.
On Wednesday, Obama said NATO would continue to pressure Gaddafi with military attacks.
"I believe that we have built enough momentum that as long as we sustain the course that we are on that he is ultimately going to step down," he said, speaking in London alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron.
White House officials have sought to play down the importance of the deadline.
Asked whether the president still has the authority to continue operations in Libya, Obama spokesman Ben Rhodes did not mention the resolution specifically. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
