Key House of Representative amendments related to the war in Libya, to be inserted into the Department of Defense Appropriations Act came today, and as with past votes showed a strong split in both parties on the illegal conflict.
A broader bipartisan amendment from Reps. Amash (R – MI) and Kucinich (D – OH) narrowly failed, with a vote of, 199-229. That amendment would have barred the use of any funds for the war in any capacity. This vote was overwhelmingly opposed by Democrats, but saw a split among Republicans.
Still, the Cole (R – OK) Amendment, a less ambitious version, managed to pass, which prohibits any funding for equipment, training or advice related to the Libya War in the bill. The amendment was overwhelmingly supported by Republicans, but few Democrats. The vote was 225-201.
President Obama has argued he doesn’t need congressional approval for the war because, in his estimation, it doesn’t count as hostilities. He has also insisted that questioning the legality of the conflict under the War Powers Act amounts to “defending” Moammar Gadhafi. This claim about “hostilities” and legality was the opposite of the opinion he got from both Justice Department and Pentagon lawyers. The war began on March 19 and was officially in violation of the War Powers Act starting on May 20.
What a complete crock. If libya were flying planes and drones and had taken out our airstrips bombed our barracks and "command" centers IE the pentagon, does anyone anywere doubt that we would think it was anything short of war? Congress would declare war in about 20 minutes.
This is war no matter what anyone wants to delude themselves into thinking.
Why don't we declare wars anymore? It's because for congress to declare war or simply admit that a state of war exists (that is what declare war means) they would need to justify the war based on an attack or eminent attack. 9/11 would have been a justification for war against Al-Queda but not the Taliban who were willing to turn over Bin Laden. So that is why that was not declared a war.
A decleration of was is simply the congress saying that evidently we are at war because of hostilities brought about by an agressor. Congress doesn't have the authority to start wars. It doesn't say that Congress has the authority to start a war, initiate a war, or wage a war. All they can do is say "zoinks we are about to be attacked or zoinkies we are under attack, it's war" Mr. President you are now Commander in Chief do something about this.
News Flash – Congress doesn't have to defund wars to stop them. If Congress didn't declare war or authorize funds in the first place then it is illegal. Obama is a million times worse than Bush. He looks like he is setting himself up to be America's first dictator.
Would like to know what the vote was on the amendment by party affiliation. And somewhat doubtful of the article's assertion that the Republicans were divided and the Dems voted "nearly unanimously" against it. That sort of split would not give you a 199-229 tally. Suspect the headline reflects libertarian dreams of a peaceful GOP. Too bad it is just a dream.
Just to be precise, the article didn't state that the Dem vote was "nearly unanimously" as you incorrectly quote…it was "overwhelmingly opposed by Democrats" – which does not equate to unanimous. And btw, the numbers support the articles assertions…
And as for the roll call vote breakdown, the vote tallies are public information and easily found with a google attempt. To help you along, try starting here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes.xpd
" Too bad it is just a dream "/
Another deluded partisan.
OK you have a point. For example, I look at Massachusettes, the bedrock of liberalism and Dems voted 8-2 in favor of the cutoff of funds. Hardly "overwelmingly opposed" . But why are any democrats, including the leaders like Pelosi or the party leading congresswoman from florida, i forget her name, voting against this? When Bush was in they were all antiwar! Now they support the Neocons. They are truely disgusting.
Who cares what the vote was? The USA is addicted to war and will drain the tax-payers money to show that they are the strongest "kick-ass" nation in the world. For NATO to become the air-force support for the insurgents in a foreign country violates everything in its charter. And the UN resolution should be re-voted on and I can assure you that it would not pass seeing how the UK and France have played with the wording. So why can't we allow Civil Wars in other countries to take their course and keep our noses out of them? The bottom line is that each additional $ of American war expenditure brings the country one day closer to bankruptsy and the fall of the US Empire.
It is pretty clear. Our House of Commons is as common as it gets. Our House of Lords, the one hundred people, along with the Emperor, and behind the throne sit real interests. Their mouthpieces shiek from the think-tanks — Trotsky establishments be they "left" or "right" — emitting smokes of different colour. Yet, we will still hope that some new political wind will bring in fresh breeze, just to find out that it is the same poison, albeit with the new flavors and spices. So the Lords get to lord for few more years, making plenty of money for their masters, and forgetting that there is such a thing as population.
Correction: The war was officially in violation of the War Powers Act from the moment it began on March 19. Or rather, the resolution was never a factor, as it only applies to threats to the USA. Aw.c is usually meticulous about getting details right, so it baffles me why you keep getting this one detail so consistently wrong.
Links to the vote or it didn't happen…
America will murder and destroy the country with all the help they need from Israel.Unless the hole world demands an end with one choice war.The eastest way is for the US military to stop fighting and not let the cowards that illegaly send them to war to kill and die against the constitution they swore to uphold.Then jail all members of government that lied and sold there country out by not folowing the constitution.Then put a government in that follows the constitution with hars peniltys if they stray.Civilians that pay for everthing buy payiny taxes should have a full say in anything that affects the country or its image.I hope there are more good people than bad.The governments are scared of there citizens witch includes the militarys that why the people need to all get together as one and demand a stop.In a democracy the military will stand with the people.Thet no the cowards care less about them and there famillys.Like in Rambo 3 when he said he wished his country loved him like he loves it.