Rep. Bill Johnson Votes to Force White House to Uphold U.S. Constitution

Statement

Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) issued the following statement regarding his vote rebuking President Obama for not consulting with Congress before authorizing military action in Libya:

"The U.S. Constitution is clear that Congress alone has the authority to declare war. The Constitution also provides to Congress the power of the purse. Instead of consulting with Congress, however, President Obama consulted with foreign allies and decided to commit our military to engagement in Libya. The President's declaration that our involvement in Libya does not amount to full-blown "hostilities' does not pass the straight-face test -- and both the Pentagon and the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel conveyed that to the White House.

"If Congress were to just authorize military action in Libya now, we would essentially be giving a pass to the President's decision to ignore his constitutional responsibility to consult with Congress. While it is regrettable that we have reached this point, the President has set a dangerous precedent for future military engagement abroad. Congress must exert its authority to withhold certain funding for action in Libya until the White House complies with the law."

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