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Kucinich on Libya: Boehner Plan is No Substitute for Mine
Hoping to drum up support for his proposal to pull U.S. forces from Libya, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) argued Thursday that an alternative plan from Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is too tame to be effective.
Top House GOPers are drafted an alternative proposal to a resolution by Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Votes for both resolutions are expected today. (AP Photo)
“It is not a substitute for my resolution and does not have anywhere near the same impact,” Kucinich wrote to his House colleagues Thursday.
“There are clear differences, and it is imperative that members clearly understand them because a consequence of voting for one (H.Res. 292) and not the other (H.Con.Res. 51) is an endorsement of the illegal and unconstitutional action that has been taken by the White House."
Kucinich’s resolution would force a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Libya within 15 days unless President Obama can secure congressional approval for the mission.
The proposal was scheduled for a floor vote Wednesday, but as momentum for that measure grew, so did GOP leadership concerns that it might pass. As a result, they pulled the bill on Wednesday, and Boehner offered his alternative a day later.
Boehner’s proposal does not mandate a withdrawal of troops, but instead would force the White House to provide Congress with detailed information on the Libya mission, including the price tag and the administration’s justification for not seeking congressional authorization. It would also bar the Pentagon from sending ground troops to Libya.
Kucinich has said he will support Boehner's proposal. The House is scheduled to vote on both measures Friday.
The Kucinich bill invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires Congress to authorize military operations after 60 days. The Libya mission is more than 70 days old, and Congress has not endorsed it.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) defended the White House on Thursday, arguing that both the Boehner and Kucinich proposals “do not advance our efforts in the region and send the wrong message to our NATO partners.”
Pelosi is calling instead for “continued consultation with the Congress.”
Kucinich has rejected that argument this week, saying Congress's duty is to the Constitution, not to NATO.
“Our loyalty to NATO and to our president, regardless of party affiliation, does not trump our loyalty to the United States Constitution,” Kucinich wrote.
The Pentagon has said it opposes any resolution that would seek to alter U.S. participation in the NATO mission in Libya.
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19 Comments so far
Show AllPelosi doesn't want Congress to do it's constitutional duty so that Obama can not do his.
At least Dennis will vote for his resolution and Boehner's which is a tiny bit better than nothing at all.
"Pelosi is calling instead for “continued consultation with the Congress.”"
What an empty, worthless statement. Boehner's resolution is almost as worthless. And Kucinch's support of Boehner's resolution is a cop out.
You don't understand. If Kucinch does not vote for Boehner's resolution, he will be accused of not wanting to stop the Libyan war - even though Boehner's resolution does not call for it to stop.
'...he will be accused of....'
Who cares? Isn't that what obama talks about all the time, getting agreement with his 'friends' on other side? Issues no longer matter, only appearances; actions no longer matter, only talk about the actions.
It's all smoke and mirrors, and when Kucinich is caught playing that game, he should be called out on it just like anyone else.
Pelosi, like many others would prefer to abdicate their congressional responsibilities. Their job on Capitol Hill is no longer to represent you and me, but to represent themselves and the big corporations.
I would love to give an in-depth intellectual argument against this issue like Seouxrose, camino, ojeelpensador and countless others here on CD but it is to the point where I would rather bring out the popcorn and watch the show because even hollywood could not think up such entertainment.
The US war against human rights democracy and the environment is as perverted as the fact that there are more slaves now than when the slaves were set free. The difference today is most of the slaves are children and the perverts in power smile at stupid voters who choose one bad guy over another; parents are brainwashed to believe their enslaved child soldiers are fighting to defend freedom. Perverts with soft hands wearing coats and ties are running the US government, and they are propped up by lies in the news.
Let us see:
Republican Boehner is is bending over backwards to support Democrat Obama.
Democrat Kucinich is supporting the Constitution.
It just goes to show that there IS only ONE party. The Corporation Party.
How 'bout this message to NATO - we won't sucker you into any more of our imperialist exercises. And we thought the Bush years were an adventure in Bizzaro World.
Nancy "impeachment is off the table" Pelosi has apparently decided representative democracy and the Constitution are also off the table.
How bad does it have to get before the people rise up in revolution and take our country back from the corporate masters of war?
Not to mention truth. Truth, it seems is simply not on the table.
I pledge allegiance to the corporate owners of the United States of America, and to the profit for which it stands, one motive, indisputable, with money and power for the top one percent...
It's funny when you think about that whole pledge of allegiance. To a flag???? And to the republic for which it stands? One nation under god?
It's a credence I don't follow.
How about we pledge allegiance to each other as the people of this country? We pledge allegiance to each other in the united states of America and to the democracy for which we do, one nation under justice, peace and liberty for all
I pledge allegiance to the precedent of Miranda v. Arizona
and to the protection for which it stands
my right, under God, to remain silent until legally represented
Good old Pelosi dooes what she can for her presdient even though he isn't worth a damn. But hey he's best far right president we could get to carry out the wrost of fascist polices and put on a big act otherwise. OK! Now can we all say President Paul and stop being so damn silly about these whinoCrats who never do a damn thing with noteworthy exceptions. But those who do always get slapped down.
Yah. No kidding.
Is it just me or does anyone else if looking at the photos of Kuchinich and Boehner get this feeling like, I would not trust these two to babysit my children because I don't know these people at all. They are not a part of my life nor my community in any meaningful tangible way. Don't talk to strangers seems to apply.
At least Dennis Kucinich is talking about being accountable to this Country and the people in it and our real needs perhaps?
If The President is our President and answers to the Constitution, then the 1973 WPR makes sense. .
If Obama is our Commander in Chief and answers to the Pentagon and we cannot let NATO down because we are in a state of perpetual war..
Then it is time to be honest about who we are. We are in a state of perpetual war.
We should stop calling Obama President, if this is the state of our affairs.
If he is our CIC, then that makes us all civilians rather than citizens.
Correspondingly, we are citizens without a President.
There are major differences in the two proposals. Kucinich is pointing out something very important.
Impeach Neocon war criminal Barack Obama!