WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing questions from Congress, the White House is sending lawmakers a detailed report Wednesday outlining the objectives of U.S. military involvement in Libya and making a legal case for continuing the campaign.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the more than 30-page report would answer inquiries posed in a nonbinding House resolution earlier this month that chided President Obama for failing to provide a “compelling rationale” for the Libya campaign. The measure asked the administration to respond to questions on the scope and cost of the mission by Friday.
Mr. Carney said the report also would include a legal analysis showing that the Libya campaign has been consistent with the War Powers Resolution, which prohibits the military from being involved in actions for more than 60 days without congressional authorization, plus a 30-day extension. House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, says Mr. Obama’s 90-day window runs out on Sunday.
Mr. Obama did not seek congressional consent for U.S. airstrikes against Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s forces. The White House insists there is a legal basis for continuing the mission, but it thus far has provided no detail on what that is.
’’I think that we have been acting consistent with the War Powers Resolution. We will continue the mission,” Mr. Carney said Wednesday.
While the United States led the initial airstrikes on Libya, NATO forces since have taken over the mission, which is in its third month. However, the United States still plays a significant support role, which includes aerial refueling of warplanes and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work.
Despite criticism from Capitol Hill, Mr. Carney said, the president expects that congressional support for the Libya campaign will continue. With Col. Gadhafi under pressure to leave power, he said now is not the time to send mixed messages about U.S. commitment to the campaign.
A bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers sued Mr. Obama on Wednesday for taking military action against Libya without war authorization from Congress. The lawmakers said Mr. Obama violated the Constitution in bypassing Congress and using international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO to authorize military force.
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