They reminded lawmakers of Gadhafi's role in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and said he had American blood on his hands.
"The message will go all over the world, the message will go to Moammar Gadhafi, the message will go to our NATO allies, the message will go to every nation of the world that America does not keep faith with its allies," said Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House.
The authorization vote marked the first time since 1999 that either chamber had voted against backing a military action. The last time was to limit President Bill Clinton's authority to use ground forces in Kosovo. There will be no immediate effect on American involvement in the NATO-led mission in Libya, the same as in 1999.
Since NATO took command of the operation in early April, the U.S. role has largely been limited to support efforts such as intelligence and electronic warfare. However, the U.S. has launched airstrikes and drone attacks, flying more than 3,200 sorties. The effort has included 39 drone attacks and 80 strikes with jet fighters.
The bill to cut off funds failed, in part, because several Republicans feared that even a vote for limited authorization for a NATO support mission amounted to support for the war effort.
"By dictating to President Obama how he can use American military forces in support of the NATO effort in Libya, we would authorize him to continue the same mission he has been carrying out for the past three months without congressional approval," said Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J.
The votes Friday were not the last word in the House. Lawmakers plan to target money for Libya when the House considers the defense spending bill the week of July 4.
Reacting to the votes, Clinton said she would have preferred a different outcome on the authorization vote but was "gratified that the House decisively rejected" the bill to cut funds.
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I said this two weeks ago when the Repubs rebuked Obama for his Libya efforts.
I said it would not go no where.
And low and behold the posturing was true to form.
how did I know this defunding would not go through ?
Because its so easy to read through the bullchit that goes on in our goverment.
Its fawking pathetic.
What a waste of time.
And they act like they are doing something .
They arnt doing shit except tossing the ball around
:142smilie
Ghadfi killed the Americans on that Pan Am flight.
Find the fawker and hang his ass.
That is why he totally backed off from aggressive behavior so many years ago. He knew he was lucky to get away with that.
Now that he has been found out for what he is.
Its just a matter of time before Obama gets him dead.
Can you say double tapped ?
