US Congress Lower House Slams Obama Ongoing Libya War

On Friday, the US House of Representatives adopted a "non-binding" resolution that criticized Obama for failing to provide a "compelling rationale" for the operation in Libya.

Both Republicans and Democrats accused Obama of violating the Constitution by not consulting Congress, reported Press TV on Friday.

The resolution also demands answers from the president in the next 14 days on the operation's objective and its cost and says US ground forces must not be used in the Libyan conflict except to rescue US servicemen.

Obama ordered airstrikes on Libya in March after a UN resolution and limited consultation with Congress, in line with the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

However, the War Powers Act allows the president to wage war for 60 days but requires him to obtain congressional authorization afterwards. The deadline passed last month.

"This is a defining moment for the Constitution. For the president to suggest he got approval from the United Nations is offensive and is wrong. We must stand tall and true to the Constitution," said Republican lawmaker Jason Chaffetz.

The US provides aerial refueling of warplanes and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance work, although NATO took over command of the operation from the US in late March.

The House members expressed concern over the expensive military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya at a time when the country is in the middle of an economic crisis.