Seventy Democrats joined with the vast majority of Republicans to vote against a resolution that would have authorized the American intervention in Libya, a step some argue is constitutionally required for an engagement that lasts longer than 60 days, per the War Powers Act of 1973. It’s unlikely that the Senate would actually pass a resolution to defund the operation, though, and so the vote today will probably serve mostly as a very angry scream in President Obama’s ears — at least for the moment. How long and loudly it rings remains to be seen. [Caucus/NYT]
