Lawmakers: Obama Breaking the Law in Libya

Rumblings are growing in Congress about President Obama’s failure to get congressional approval for the military operation in Libya, the Washington Post observes. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Obama needs congressional approval for a military action within 60 days of launching it, but that deadline came and went Friday without incident. “The undeniable conclusion is that the president is breaking the law,” one freshman GOP rep said yesterday.

Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton each missed the deadline, but they at least argued why it shouldn’t apply to them. Obama has said nothing. “They won’t even acknowledge the 60th day,” one Democratic rep complained. “The fault here is also with Congress. So many of us would like to evade the tough decisions.” Indeed, neither party’s leadership seemed keen to press the point. The Senate is considering a resolution, but won’t vote on it until after its Memorial Day recess. (More Libya stories.)