For a nation in a state of perpetual war, antiwar votes are a time honored tradition giving the antiwar Congressmen a chance to act like they’re accomplishing something and their more jingoistic brethren a chance to give flag-waving speeches denouncing the resolution as treason. All that changed last week when one of those run-of-the-mill Afghan votes came within 9 members of passing.
The House had also been promising a vote sometime this week on a resolution demanding the end of the Libya War. Today, however, the Republican leadership announced it is postponing the vote indefinitely because of growing concern that it might actually pass.
Rep. Kucinich’s (D – OH) bill is being further bolstered by an announcement today from the NATO leadership that they have extended the supposedly short-term war for another 90 days, saying they are “determined to continue our operation.” But with President Obama already well beyond his 60-day grace period, he is facing considerable opposition from both parties about his decision to launch the war.
And while the House Republican leadership remains, as ever, firmly behind all wars anywhere, the party’s backbenchers are angry at President Obama’s decision to start a war without consulting Congress. House Speaker John Boehner is said to be “concerned that if this were to come to the floor now, it would pass,” and that he believes this “could” adversely affect the war.
Still, since the resolution is based on the 1973 War Powers Act, Rep. Kucinich can still force a vote over leadership objections as soon as next week. The delay may buy the administration time to invent more justifications for a conflict that even Secretary of State Gates admitted was “not a vital American interest.” Whether this delay will be enough to swing the vote remains to be seen.
If Congress had any backbone, they would have initiated impeachment proceedings against Obama and senior administration officials on Day 1 of the Libya War. No such luck. Congress is a rubber stamp. Nothing more.
"Boehner Concerned Vote Demanding End to War Might 'Adversely Effect' War"…, are you kidding me.., thats the meaning for all votes against wars to effect wars not having any wars at all…, this comment is the most obvious fact that US and its senatorial democracy is based on war and I am sure the house speaker knows that there is lots of Libyan money to be made.., and there are lots of other demands that are in place for US making deals with NATO and perhaps even African Union, China, Russia, France, Denmark, Sweden and those whom have a interests other then people of Africa. Mr. Boehner.., we are talking about a war.., war kills people and destroys homes and everything els.., war make a country to go bankrupt as US and EU are.., by delaying the vote you just give the war mongers a legitimate act to steal the Libyan and African people money.., shame on you.
Cowardly contemptible traitors. Why even bother anymore? Just dissolve congress and turn over everything to the White House as an act of "patriotism"
What's wrong with this picture…canceling a vote because it might actually pass and end an illegal war. We are a really fugged up society. We have politicians who, more and more flaunt their elitism and self-defined privilege in our faces – and we sit back and take it. What this country stands for is no longer what it once stood for. They've torn out the heart of our nation and replaced it with lies and theft. We, as Americans should be embarrassed that we've allowed this to happen on our watch.
Congressmen stand for whatever their AIPAC handlers tell them to stand for. It's really that simple. Our government officials do exactly what AIPAC tells them to do because if the don't, they know they will face defeat at the hands of an AIPAC funded candidate who has promised to do whatever they demand.
I think that someone should say something nice about Kucinich. The bill will eventually come to a vote. It might pass. Then what? Martin
Mr. Speaker I rise today in pretend support of this resolution to stop all combat operations in Libya…what? you mean it might actually pass? Holy Crap, stop! Nevermind! Kill the resolution, kill it!
The US might as well be a dictatorship not allowing a vote because it may not go in there favor.All kinds of things that start small become big a big problem.This could be used in the future anytime they fell a vote will not go the way they want.People that still belive the US along with others but mainly the US and Israel are democratic nations are being fooled the way they planed but more than ever people are learning the truth.But knowing it and doing somthing about the lies that lead to Deaths war and a form of communism is 2 different things.
"The delay may buy the administration time to invent more justifications for a conflict that even Secretary of State Gates admitted was “not a vital American interest.”"
Did Secretary of State Clinton or Secretary of Defense Gates say this thing?