Obama Is Given a Year on Libya

The U.S. Senate wants to limit a mandate on military action in Libya to one year

The U.S. Senate is preparing to give President Obama permission to wage war in Libya for only one year and to directly forbid the use of American soldiers in ground operations. These measures, proposed by Democrat John Kerry and Republican John McCain, should satisfy both opponents and supporters of the war.

The American administration finally will be able to escape the legal dead end associated with beginning the military operation that was not sanctioned by Congress. Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry and ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Armed Services John McCain introduced a draft resolution that untangled the Libya question for President Obama.

“[This is] more than enough time to finish the job,” McCain explained regarding the one-year mandate on action in Libya.

Kerry added that the Senate should demonstrate its allegiance to Washington with its bipartisan commitment. He warned that the phrases “doomed to fail” and “undermine the very essence of NATO,” regarding the mission, should be retired. At the same time, the senators considered it necessary to curtsey to those who oppose continuing the war. “This is not a blank check for the president,” Kerry explained. “This resolution authorizes the limited use of American forces in a supporting role. It says specifically that the Senate does not support the use of ground troops in Libya. And it authorizes this limited use of American forces for a limited duration.”

American lawmakers split into two camps on the Libya question, and notably the dividing line was not drawn between the two parties. The majority of Obama’s fellow party members are on his side, and they are joined by Republican-interventionists who continue to think that the U.S. has the right to interfere in the affairs of other nations in the name of building democracy, as was customary during George W. Bush’s first term. McCain already termed the Republican skeptics “isolationists.”

The unexpected alliance between left-wing liberal Democrats and the conservative majority of Republicans accused the administration of overstepping its authority as the executive branch, and it began to point to the burdensome cost of war in Libya for a budget that already carries a gigantic deficit. They point out that Obama directly violated laws when he neglected to get congressional permission regarding the use of military forces. The law forbids the U.S. president from waging a military campaign for longer than two months without the permission of Congress; Obama began Operation Odyssey Dawn without notifying lawmakers. The Justice Department’s explanations affirming that there is no war because American soldiers are not involved in “hostilities” (The Pentagon defends this logic because the drones over Libya fly without pilots) do not satisfy American lawmakers. The cost of this war surely will near $1 billion by the end of this year. According to a recent admission by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the war in Libya may set the American budget back by $750 million by the end of September. He estimated the monthly cost at $60 million, compared to the previously mentioned $40 million.

One of Obama’s main opponents, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, intends to plow through an initiative to prevent the Pentagon from using its budget to fund the military operation in Libya. The Associate Press quoted the Republican as saying, “[Lawmakers] are very frustrated over the president’s actions, his lack of positing a clear mission and vision for our involvement in Libya.” In this matter, he is supported by the outspoken left-wing Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinich.

On Wednesday, the Republican House leadership gathered to discuss their next steps. According to media reports, they considered the prospect of adopting two resolutions. One resolution would be akin to the Kerry-McCain document, and the second would directly forbid the Pentagon from using all types of weapons in Libya, including cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Republican majority in the House is leaning toward the second document.

The opposition to Obama has already showed itself. One week ago, the House of Representatives voted for an amendment to the 2012 military budget in which the duration of the operation is limited to March. This measure is primarily symbolic, as the draft still needs to wait for the approval of other amendments, the House’s general vote and further review in the Senate, where Obama has the majority. However, as wrote the LA Times, the contrasting signals from the bicameral legislature already are seen “worldwide” as evidence of the uncertain role America plays in Libya.