Several lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, testified before a House committee that President Obama is in violation of the War Powers Act for failing to get proper congressional approval to continue U.S. operations against Libya.

The War Powers Act, passed in 1973 over President Nixon’s veto, allows presidents to use force in emergencies but supposedly requires them to seek and receive congressional approval within 60 days. It was intended to prevent open-ended escalations such as occurred in Vietnam.