Power Breakfast: Constitutionality Of The U.S.'s Presence In Libya Questioned

"Congress has the power to stop this war in its tracks by cutting off funding," he says.

According to Kucinisch, questioning the practicality or viability of doing that now, with operations already underway, plays to the hands of those who want to sidestep the underlying issue.

"There was no Congressional approval for this," he says, "That's number one. Number two, it's against the Constitution to proceed in that way."

There's also the matter of what the U.S. can afford. The Ohio Democrat is dubious of prospects for a swift exit.

"And so this is really at a time when Congress has to step up to its role as a co-equal branch of government. This is a teachable moment. It's an important civics lesson," Kucinich says.

Kucinich isn't the only one to come forth this week with criticism about the President's decision to make this call without more input from Congress. The word he chooses to describe himself is "mystified."

"The administration obviously spent some time building support for this attack. They had time to talk to the Arab League, the UN, NATO, Great Britain and France in particular. But no time to talk to the United State Congress to ask for approval," Kucinich says.

Instead, the President sent a letter, in which he asserted his authority under the War Powers Act. His past support for the President notwithstanding, Kucinich disputes that claim.

"I like Barack Obama. I love the Constitution," he explains.

Congress isn't in session this week. But Kucinich has his proposal ready to go for his fellow lawmakers when they return.