GOP bill would halt US operations in Libya until Congress acts

Two House Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday to
force an end to U.S. military operations in Libya unless Congress explicitly
authorizes them.

Reps. Timothy Johnson (Ill.) and Justin Amash (Mich.), a freshman, say
America’s role in the international effort backing Libyan rebels against
strongman Moammar Gadhafi is unconstitutional without Congress’s stamp of
approval.

Their bill — dubbed the Restoring Essential constitutional
Constraints for Libyan Action Involving the Military Act, or RECLAIM —
would cut off all funding related to the Pentagon’s intervention in the
embattled North African country.

{mosads}Last week, Johnson explained his criticism of President
Obama’s decision to enter the conflict.

“Constitutionally, it is indisputable that Congress must be
consulted prior to an act of war unless there is an imminent threat against
this country. The president has not done so,” Johnson said. “Our country
has no business enmeshing itself in another country’s civil unrest. We were not
attacked. Our national security interests are not at stake.”

Neither Johnson’s nor Amash’s office immediately returned
requests for comment.