House Doesn't Support Libya War But Won't Defund It Either . Also: Yeah We're Trying To Kill Gadaffi And If We Do We May Have To Send In Ground Troops

Two votes today, one to support the operation and one to cut funding. Neither passed.

In something of a surprise, the House on Friday rejected a measure to cut funding for offensive operations by U.S. forces in Libya, pulling back from an effort to confront President Obama over the three month-old conflict.

That resolution failed by a vote of 180 to 238. It would not have ended the U.S. mission in Libya, but it would have cut off funding for American forces that are not engaged in support missions within the NATO-led coalition, like aerial refueling, reconnaissance, and planning. That would have meant an end to strikes on Libyan targets by unmanned U.S. drones.

Earlier Friday, the House voted to reject a resolution that would have authorized the military operation in Libya.

That vote failed, 123 to 295, with dozens of Democrats joining Republicans in voting against the resolution.

So with authorization and defunding defeated, all goes on as before.

I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was the defunding resolution vote failed. 80 Republicans voted for it and a handful more voted against it because it was too open ended. Even as poorly conceived and run this war (yes, it's a war) has been, it's just hard to imagine a majority of Republicans cutting off funds for troops in the field.

As far as what's actually happening in Libya? I don't know. The comforting thing is no else seems to either.

One US Congressman says the US Admiral running the Libya war says of course we're trying to kill Gaddafi and oh yeah, when he's gone we may have to send in ground troops.

If US ground troops wind up in Libya (and there's almost no chance NATO would send theirs if we don't pony up some of ours), lawmakers will come to regret giving Obama such a free hand in his little adventure.

posted by DrewM. at 02:58 PM

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