Kerry, McCain look to authorize Libya mission

WASHINGTON - Two top senators are pushing a resolution authorizing a limited role for the U.S. military in Libya.

Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, a Democrat, and John McCain, the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, planned to introduce the resolution on Tuesday. McCain spoke about the measure on the Senate floor.

He said the resolution would authorize President Barack Obama to advance U.S. national security interests as part of the international coalition challenging Muammar Qaddafi. The authority would be limited to a year.

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The measure would be a counter to efforts in the House to cut off funds for the operation.

Republicans and Democrats have angrily reacted to Mr. Obama's decision to order the military operations three months ago without congressional approval, which critics say violates the War Powers Act of 1973.

The White House has argued that the coalition operations in Libya could not be considered "hostilities" and thus not subject to the War Powers Act. (Though, in a bit of a contradiction to the White House logic, the Pentagon has authorized an extra $225 a month in "imminent danger pay" to pilots who fly missions over Libya or sailors who serve on ships close to shore.)

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House GOP considers measures to rebuke action in Libya

Republican House leaders are considering a number of options to express their dissatisfaction with Mr. Obama's explanation, from a resolution rebuking Mr. Obama to an amendment cutting funding, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

"The fact that the White House ignored the advice of the Justice Department and flouted the War Powers Resolution calls for some serious accountability. We're discussing all available options with our members to hold the administration to its obligations," said Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for House Speaker John Boehner.