May, 26 2011, 04:58pm EDT
Kucinich: Opposition to War in Libya Growing
Congress Rebukes Administration on Libyan War; Sets the Stage for the Kucinich War Powers Act Vote Next Week
WASHINGTON
Today, the House of Representatives passed two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that strongly signaled growing Congressional discontent with the war on Libya. The two votes set the stage for the upcoming vote on Kucinich's resolution to direct the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from military operations in Libya.
"Congress is not satisfied with the blank check that this administration has written for itself to conduct the Libyan war," said Kucinich. "Congress has made it clear that the Libyan war has not been authorized as required by the Constitution and the War Powers Act."
Today, an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act by Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ) represented the House's first rejection of the war in Libya. The Garrett amendment clarified that passage of the Defense Authorization Act should not be interpreted as authorizing military operations in Libya.
Another amendment by John Conyers, Jr. (MI) set firm boundaries on U.S. involvement by prohibiting the introduction of ground troops in Libya.
"Congress has drawn a line in the sand. We will not stand for mission creep that puts boots on the ground in Libya. Further attempts to expand the Libyan war will not be tolerated," stated Kucinich.
Next week, the House is expected to vote on Kucinich's resolution based on the War Powers Resolution that would require the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from military operations in Libya.
Dennis Kucinich is an American politician. A U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1997 to 2013, he was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2004 and 2008.
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