The Republican-controlled House will try to leave town for a 10 day break by sending a message to the White House on U.S. participation in the NATO strikes against Libya, with votes on a pair of resolutions.
The late decision to hold a debate on Libya came as Speaker John Boehner unveiled a resolution declaring "that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya."
The House voted to do that last week on a defense policy bill, but this Boehner resolution would go a few steps further, requiring the President to send Congress a full explanation of the goals of the NATO mission, as well as the "President’s justification for not seeking authorization by Congress for the use of military force in Libya."
While the Boehner resolution is filled with tough-sounding talk, it does not go as far as to demand that the U.S. withdraw from any NATO strikes, or to cut off money for such operations.
That was left to a second resolution that will be debated and voted on from Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), which does seek an end to U.S. aid for NATO strikes and calls for a withdrawal of American forces.
While Kucinich is sure to draw votes from liberal Democrats, his party leader signaled opposition to both resolutions on Libya.
"The resolutions by Speaker Boehner and Congressman Kucinich, as currently drafted, do not advance our efforts in the region and send the wrong message to our NATO partners," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Down at the White House, officials weren't giving off any signals that they were worried about the Congressional expression of frustration about Libya.
"We believe that the policy is working," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
We believe that the goal the President has is shared by a vast majority of members of Congress. And we have consulted with Congress every step of the way since we have initiated this policy."
That last statement might draw a few raised eyebrows at the Capitol, since the White House let the 60 day time limit of the War Powers Act go by without getting any kind of Congressional authorization for U.S. actions supporting NATO's attacks.
While today's debate and votes in the House may be important, they also may represent some hard reality for the Congress when it comes to decisions of war:
Unless lawmakers vote to block funding for certain military operations, the White House can pretty much do what the Commander-in-Chief wants to do, no matter the bellyaching from Capitol Hill.
And so far, voting to block money for Libya doesn't seem likely.
At least, not right now.
