Obama Wins One, Loses One in House Over Libya

House Republicans wanted to deliver a one-two rebuke to President Obama today over Libya, but they'll have to settle for half that:

• Good news for Obama: A GOP-led measure to cut off funds for the military operation failed 238-180. It was a surprise victory for the administration, notes the Los Angeles Times.
• Bad news for Obama: Lawmakers rejected a proposal to authorize the action for another year on a bipartisan vote of 295-123. Seventy Democrats voted against the president, notes AP.

The cutoff of funds would have been a largely symbolic gesture because the Senate wasn't expected to go along. Click to read how public support of the US military action is waning or to read the White House rationale on why the War Powers Act doesn't apply. (More Libya stories.)