White House Defends Legality of Libya Mission - NYTimes.com

White House Defends Legality of Libya Mission - NYTimes.com


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying congressional criticism, the White House insisted Wednesday that President Barack Obama has the authority to continue U.S. military action in Libya even without authorization from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

In a detailed, 30-page report sent to Congress, the administration argued that the U.S. has a limited, supporting role in the NATO-led bombing campaign in Libya. Because U.S. forces are not engaged in sustained fighting and there are no troops on the ground there, the White House contended the president is within his constitutional rights to direct the mission on his own.

It's the first time the administration has publically detailed its legal rationale for continuing the Libya campaign without receiving congressional authorization within the 60-day window set in the War Powers Act.

"The president is of the view that the current U.S. military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization because U.S. military operations are distinct from the kind of "hostilities" contemplated by the resolution's 60-day termination provision.," the White House said.

The report also put the cost of U.S. military operations and humanitarian assistance in Libya at about $800 million, as of June 3. Officials estimate U.S. costs in Libya will total $1.1 billion by early September.

The administration's defense of the Libya mission comes in response to a nonbinding House resolution passed this month that chastised Obama for failing to provide a "compelling rationale" for U.S. involvement in Libya. Read More....