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Under the [[War Powers Act]] of 1973 the U.S President has limited authority to use military force without Congressional authorization when there is an imminent [[national security]] threat, however President Obama made clear that he order the use of force out of alleged humanitarian concerns and not national security reasons.  Members of Congress of both parties have expressed concern the President may have violated the law in doing so.<ref>http://rooney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3190:rooney-resolution-president-should-obtain-congressional-authorization-or-end-military-campaign-in-libya-&catid=48:2011-press-releases</ref>  The War Powers Act states that the President’s powers as Commander in Chief to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. The War Powers Act requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific congressional authorization. None of these prerequisites have been met.

Under the [[War Powers Act]] of 1973 the U.S President has limited authority to use military force without Congressional authorization when there is an imminent [[national security]] threat, however President Obama made clear that he order the use of force out of alleged humanitarian concerns and not national security reasons.  Members of Congress of both parties have expressed concern the President may have violated the law in doing so.<ref>http://rooney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3190:rooney-resolution-president-should-obtain-congressional-authorization-or-end-military-campaign-in-libya-&catid=48:2011-press-releases</ref>  The War Powers Act states that the President’s powers as Commander in Chief to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. The War Powers Act requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific congressional authorization. None of these prerequisites have been met.

On March 21, 2011, President Obama announced that U.S. military forces had already commenced operations in Libya on March 19 "to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe" citing UN Resolutions as the authority to do so.  The hearing conducted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee two days earler revealed differences of opinion between some Senators and the Obama administration with regard to intervening, the benefits and drawbacks, the need for Congressional authorization for the use of U.S. military forces, and the likelihood that [[al Qaeda]] and other violent Islamists could take advantage of the situation.

On March 21, 2011, President Obama announced that U.S. military forces had already commenced operations in Libya on March 19 "to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe" citing UN Resolutions as the authority to do so.  The hearing conducted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee two days earler revealed differences of opinion between Senators and the administration about intervention, the need for Congressional authorization for use of force, and the likelihood [[al Qaeda]] and other violent Islamists could take advantage of the situation.

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