On the Blog: Libya—Whose Call?

We turn from honoring fallen veterans to the fact that the U.S. military has been involved in Libya without congressional approval for longer than the amount of time allowed by the War Powers Act. Will Congress challenge the president’s authority?

Read about it in a post entitled: “Have a Good Memorial Day? Now as to the Soldiers in Combat…”

Featured Items

This week the House is scheduled to debate H. Con. Res. 51, which would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from Libya.

The War Powers Act requires the president to report any introduction of U.S. forces into hostilities to Congress. Use of military force must be terminated within 60 to 90 days, unless Congress authorizes the use of the military or extends the time period.

No cost estimate for H.C. Res. 51 is available.

Also up for debate: H.R. 2017, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012.

The bill would fund the operations of the Department of Homeland Security during the 2012 fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2011.

Passage of H.R. 2017 would cost the average U.S. family about $300.

H. Con. Res. 51
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya

H.R. 2017
The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012
Costs $305.02 per family

What People Think

H. Con. Res. 51 75% For, 25% Against Vote on this Bill

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012 33% For, 67% Against Vote on this Bill

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

H.R. 1954
To implement the President’s request to increase the statutory limit on the public debt
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 1249
The America Invents Act
Costs $108.43 per family

S. 954
The Haitian-American Enterprise Fund Act
Costs $0.68 per family

H.R. 2017
The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012
Costs $305.02 per family

S. 350
The Environmental Crimes Enforcement Act of 2011
Costs $0.00 per family

S. 363
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey property of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the City of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and for other purposes
Costs $0.00 per family

S. 623
The Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 1121
The Responsible Consumer Financial Protection Regulations Act of 2011
Costs $0.12 per family

S. 618
A bill to promote the strengthening of the private sector in Egypt and Tunisia
Costs $0.38 per family

H.R. 829
The Contracting and Tax Accountability Act of 2011
Saves $0.20 per family

H.R. 1745
The JOBS Act of 2011
Saves $27.60 per family

H.R. 1315
The Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 1667
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Transfer Clarification Act
Saves $0.00 per family

S. 739
A bill to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in parking areas under the jurisdiction of the Senate at no net cost to the Federal Government
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 1540
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
Costs $3,841.45 per family

H.R. 1425
The Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011
Costs $0.05 per family

Updated Items

H.R. 1573
To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption
Costs $0.00 per family

H.R. 5
The Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011
Saves $32.60 per family

Passed Items

none