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White House, Congress wrangle over Libya

 

Xinhua, June 3, 2011

The White House on Thursday engaged in a battle of words with Congress over the country's involvement in Libya, as the House of Representatives readies a resolution seeking clarity on Libya mission.

The House was originally scheduled to vote on a resolution sponsored by Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich calling for withdrawal of U.S. forces from the NATO-led military campaign against Libya, but it was pulled by House leadership after Republican members informed their leaders they are ready to back the measure, and putting it on course for approval, placing the Congress on record against the administration over Libya.

In response, Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said during the day's regular briefing that the White House consulted Congress on every step they take on Libya, and President Barack Obama kept his word by handing over the control of the mission to NATO.

Carney said the administration "believe that the policy (over Libya) is working," and "the goal of the president is shared by the majority of the members of Congress."

However, John Boehner, the Republican House Speaker, criticized the White House over its lack of clarity over Libya mission.

"Our members are a bit weary about the amount of money we've spent in Iraq and in Afghanistan and that we're spending in Libya and as a result, really are wondering what's our vital national security interest there?" Boehner asked during his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill.

He urged Obama to "speak out in terms of our mission in Afghanistan, our mission in Iraq, our mission in Libya."

The Republicans have scheduled a meeting Thursday to talk about Libya, and Boehner is drafting a resolution on Libya. Reports say the resolution will stop short of condemning the mission, but instead demand more clarity from the administration.