Republican leaders in Congress on Friday challenged President Barack Obama's authority over the conflict in Libya by proposing a bill that would demand an explanation for America's involvement in Nato's military campaign.
John Boehner addresses the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Washington Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
By Alex Spillius, Washington
8:09PM BST 03 Jun 2011
The House of Representatives was due to vote on Friday night on a bill that asked the president to present his case to Congress within 14 days after he failed to present a "compelling rationale" for the US role in Libya.
Representative John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House, said: "The doubts that our members have, frankly, are reflecting what they're hearing from their constituents. The president really does need to step up and help the American people understand why these missions are vital to the national security interests of our country."
The Pentagon hit back, warning that any move that undermined the confidence of Nato allies in the US would have "enormous and dangerous long-term consequences".
The bill was largely symbolic, as even if it passed the House it would be unlikely to clear the Senate, where Mr Obama's Democratic allies hold a narrow majority.
Nonetheless it has sent a warning signal to the White House that Congress is losing its appetite for military action amid the long-running conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Objectors to US involvement in Libya also claim that Mr Obama has exceeded his executive power by not obtaining congressional authorisation through the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
The president faces an unusual alliance of anti-war Left-wing Democrats and Tea Party Republicans motivated by concerns of the cost of the bombing campaign against Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces or by their adamant opposition to Mr Obama.
Mr Boehner drafted the bill as a response to the frustration among his rank-and-file, who earlier in the week were set to support legislation drafted by anti-war Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich calling for an end to US involvement in the conflict within 15 days.
A vote on Mr Kucinich's bill was also due to be held on Friday, though it was expected to fail.
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