By Jonathan Allen (with assists from Jake 'Fast Break' Sherman and Kevin Robillard)
LIBYAN REBELS: HOUSE TO VOTE ON OBAMA'S WAR POWERS -- House Republican leaders have drafted two war powers resolutions that amount to a historic test of President Barack Obama's authority to conduct a war against the Libyan government. Those proposals, one of which would authorize the use of force in Libya and another that would demand an end to U.S. hostilities, will be presented to the House Republican Conference this morning. It's not clear yet if one or both of the resolutions will get a vote on the floor.
What is much more clear is that a House that was once displeased about Obama's handling of the Libya engagement is now agitated over his decision to circumvent provisions of the War Powers Act that would have required either congressional authorization for the war or a withdrawal of American troops by now.
There are many reasons for the growing opposition Obama faces: There's a strong anti-war contingent within House Democratic ranks; many other Democrats are skeptical about opening up another front; some lawmakers in both parties are frustrated by a lack of deference for congressional war-making powers; new freshman Republicans -- and some of their older counterparts -- have a more isolationist (or at least less globalist) view of America's proper role in the world; there's an opportunity for Republicans to score some political points against Obama on a war that is not popular; and, perhaps most important, many lawmakers feel Obama has failed to make his case to Congress and the public.
It all amounts to a tall order for Obama to avoid the spectacle of the people's House voting to stop him or simply not to support him -- even if it's a vote that's largely symbolic given that Senate Democrats won't get in the president's way.
One Democrat who spoke to Huddle on the condition of anonymity last night said Speaker John Boehner's decision to vote on authorizing and/or ending the Libya mission is 'almost diabolical' in that it forces Democrats to answer the question 'Will Democrats be the war party?'
House Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have said through aides that they will back the president. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Democratic leadership by virtue of his role as the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, told Huddle he believes the president has made the case for the war.
On the Republican side, opposition to Libya can be found in every corner of the conference. Rep. Sam Johnson, who was tortured in a Vietnamese prison camp, told Huddle he doesn't approve of the mission. The Texas Republican could provide important cover for Republicans who want to vote against the president but fear being portrayed as insufficiently hawkish on national security in the future.
More than a month ago, freshman Rep. Scott Rigell, who represents Virginia's military-heavy 2nd District, introduced legislation that would end U.S. engagement in Libya by cutting off funding for it. Like Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Rigell represents a growing contingent of lawmakers with large military constituencies who are opposed to further American war-making.
'I was told early on that my introduction of the bill and my support of some measures that would stop Odyssey Dawn would be perceived as not supportive of the military,' Rigell said. 'Being a very, very strong advocate for our men and women in uniform ... it does not follow that that means being pro-kinetic engagement,' he said. 'These families are fatigued and to see us open up a third front when there is no compelling American interest in place,they've been very supportive of my position.'
TEXT -- The House Rules Committee posted the two resolutions last night.
www.house.gov/rules