Maryland lawmakers split on Libya
Maryland’s congressional delegation split along party lines Friday over a resolution in the House of Representatives that would have authorized President Barack Obama to continue U.S. military involvement in Libya for one year, with the state’s six Democrats in support and two Republicans opposed.
The measure, similar to one pending in the Senate that is backed by Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, failed on a vote of 123-295. Seventy Democrats joined all but eight Republicans in opposition.
Lawmakers in both parties have grown increasingly restive about the administration’s approach to Libya, which began with a series of airstrikes in March to weaken forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Obama has maintained he does not need authorization from Congress to continue the effort because the military is not engaged in full-blown hostilities.
"A sudden withdrawal of American support for the mission would strengthen Gadhafi’s hand and increase his confidence that he can wait out the rebellion against his rule," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, the Southern Maryland lawmaker and second-ranking Democrat in the House.
Democratic Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Elijah E. Cummings, John Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards, Chris Van Hollen and Hoyer voted in favor of the resolution. Republican Reps. Andy Harris and Roscoe G. Bartlett voted against it.
In a second vote Monday, the delegation split again mostly along party lines over whether to cut off funding for the effort, with Harris supporting that measure, and Bartlett joining the state's six Democrats to oppose it. That measure also failed, on a 180-238 vote.
Eighty-nine Republicans joined all but 36 Democrats in opposition to the funding proposal.
"I will not offer tacit approval of the president’s actions," Bartlett, who joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in suing the Obama administration over Libya last week. "That is why I voted no on these resolutions. Neither acknowledged the grave fact that President Obama violated and continues to flout our Constitution as well as the War Powers Resolution.”
An earlier version of this post misstated Bartlett's vote.
Comments
Right down party lines. Who woulda thunk it? So let's ask ourselves one single question: "Why are we there?" Hey, there is strife all over the world. So upon answering the question, answer it with the premise that it must affect the US if we are to remain.Odd that the fat pig voted for it while he still "champions" for the military which is increasingly spread too thin.
Posted by: TheBaltimoreColt | June 24, 2011 1:24 PM
It would be educational to review Steny Hoyer's voting record on votes like this when George Bush was in office. His rant today startled me. Really, Steny?
Posted by: Bobby Ballgame | June 24, 2011 2:10 PM
Right down party lines. Who woulda thunk it? Posted by: TheBaltimoreColt
"Seventy Democrats joined all but eight Republicans in opposition. "
Right down party lines? Can you read?
Here is far left progressive Jerrold the Nadler.
"We have been sliding for 70 years to a situation where Congress has nothing to do with the decision about whether to go to war or not, and the president is becoming an absolute monarch," Nadler said on the floor. "And we must put a stop to that right now, if we don't want to become an empire instead of a republic."
Posted by: Anonymous | June 24, 2011 2:32 PM
Why is it Clinton and Obama get a pass for involving us in other peoples Civil Wars, but Bush gets us in 2 that directly offers a threat to us, he gets crucified?
We can argue the merits of being involved in Lybia, and I am on the fence on that one. But we went in cheap and light. If you commit, commit to win fast and hard.
This is less politics and more turf war between branches. And Obama is in the wrong....again. He stupidly opened the door for this by not seeking approval. If he had it, then you could blast the Repubs on it.
Posted by: Scott | June 24, 2011 3:11 PM
Dear Citizens,
Another dog and pony show!!!
The tax and spend party - that the Democratic Party - You know the ones who passed the Health care Bill without knowing what was in it.
O please!!! Democrats of Maryland - you're just as bad!!!
Increase taxes - increase tolls and who pays for it ---
The hard working people of Maryland who live paycheck to paycheck - its legalized extortion.
I again call for the peaceful –that’s right I said PEACEFULL and CONSTITUTIONAL – that’s right I said constitutional overthrow of this government.
Of course those of you who think the government should take care of all your needs. Remember – the government never gave anybody anything.
There’s always a price!
Think about it citizens.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | June 24, 2011 3:16 PM
I'm not sure where you people get off blasting Obama when he inherited 2 illegal and immoral wars from the Republicans! It is the height of hypocrisy for the Repubs. to take these actions since they have the blood of thousands on their hands! Is there any end to the moral bankruptcy of the Republicans and their apologists? Get back to me with your moral high-mindedness after Bush Cheney and the rest of those murderers are convicted of the war crimes they committed for 8 years!!!!!!!
Posted by: MEW | June 24, 2011 4:19 PM
Those who support the war in Libya (and in Iraq, Afghanistan, the future war against Iran, the war that occurred in Lebanon and the genocide against the Palestinians) are both fools and tools of Zion.
Why anyone in America, especially our own politicians would choose to support a foreign country is beyond me. Question Loyalty.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 24, 2011 9:16 PM
He inherited two wars that were approved by Congress and supported by the Democratics, that was then this is now. Let's get on with it, either we finished it or get out. Ghadiffi should have been removed a long time ago. Just do it and be done with it, don't play politics.
Posted by: DHarri | June 24, 2011 10:09 PM
That is not a bill that someone should be passing now … to take permission or not … to fund or not … the bill that should be passed right now collectively with all nations is “NO MORE WARS FOR MONEY”. That’s the bill they should pass right now. This bill should imply that the warring nations … this is the nations that are bombing the country should not in any way get involved in any kind of direct or indirect financial transactions with the victim country. That’s what we should fight for now … that’s the bill they should pass now.
After seeing what they have done in Ruka … what is stopping us from bringing about such a resolution?
Common sense!?
Read more:
http://godinthejungle.com/index.php/story-notes/395-saturday-june-25-2011.html
Posted by: kerrygomez | June 27, 2011 5:47 AM