A group of 10 US congressmen yesterday filed a lawsuit against the President Barack Obama for circumventing the authority of the Congress by increasing military strikes against Libya. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Walter Jones (R-NC) representatives of the group told the press about the filing of the suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

They are seeking for injunctive and declaratory relief in the suit arguing that Obama has acted in violation of Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution, which grants Congress the power to declare war.

According to the complaint filed Libyan operations ordered by President Obama constitute “war” for the purpose of Article I, Section 8, and Clause 11 of the Constitution. President Obama started the war without a declaration of Congress and also with the use of funds which was never approved by the Congress. Plaintiffs being the members of Congress assert the right to challenge the violation of Article I of the Constitution as well as the violation of statutory laws governing the commencement and funding of any undeclared war.

The complaint also alleges violations of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) sent a letter to Obama warning that he has violated the War Powers Resolution and demanded an explanation. Yesterday White House Press Secretary Jay Carney addressed Libya in the daily briefing, stating that because there are no troops on the ground, there is no war and thus no violation of the War Powers Resolution.

US lawmakers file suit against Obama for continuing actions in Libya

Report by Reuben