House votes down authorization for Libya mission but continues to provide funding

[JURIST] The US House of Representatives [official website] in two votes Friday sent contradictory messages over authorization of US military operations in Libya. First, the House overwhelmingly voted down 123-295 [roll call vote] a resolution [HJ RES 68] that would have authorized further operations in Libya. Then hours later, it voted down 180-238 [roll call vote] a measure [HR 2278] that would have defunded the operations, save for rescue and intelligence efforts to assist NATO. Even if the House had…