U.S. House of Representatives rejects measure to continue U.S. role in Libya...

...but apparently also rejects measure to cut funding for it.

Pretty interesting conundrum. It can't be authorized, but it also can't necessarily be stopped or phased out either.

Any idea what happens now?

Vote to continue U.S. role = "OMG! Congressman Joe Schmoe wants another Iraq!" = political suicide

Vote to cut funding = "OMG! Congressman Joe Schmoe doesn't support our troops!" = political suicide

Pretty smart, Lay it solely at the feet of the President.

Nothing, I don't think.

It's basically, we want to embarass the White House without leaving our allies who supported us in Iraq in the dust.

A win-win political play for congreass.

Nothing, I don't think.

Palantas

So you'd say political and legal limbo for the foreseeable future? Makes sense, as that has happened many times before.

jetpower3

I meant that I don't think anything will change in combat operations.

[QUOTE="jetpower3"]

Palantas

I meant that I don't think anything will change in combat operations.

I don't either, but I mean in terms of long-haul consequences. It seems like this intervention is quickly losing political structure and turning into yet another open-ended committment. And maybe fears of that happening will make some think twice about not killing or actively targeting Gaddafi himself.

...but apparently also rejects measure to cut funding for it.

Pretty interesting conundrum. It can't be authorized, but it also can't necessarily be stopped or phased out either.

Any idea what happens now?

jetpower3

I bet if Bush was the one doing this, the House GOP would applaud him. But then again the House Dems would do what the current House GOP is doing.

I bet if Bush was the one doing this, the House GOP would applaud him. But then again the House Dems would do what the current House GOP is doing.

DroidPhysX

To be perfectly honest, democrats have done little to nothing outside of a bunch words in differing from Republican foreign policy in the past few decades.