Rooney Takes Blame for Failed Vote to Defund Libya Operation

It is rare on Capitol Hill for a lawmaker to concede something didn't go as planned.

But today, we have a mea culpa from Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., the author of the failed bill to defund U.S. operations in Libya.

Earlier in the week, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, planned to put just two, non-binding resolutions on the House floor that would ask lawmakers to authorize or not authorize the U.S. involvement in the Libyan conflict and also limit involvement to non-combat roles.

However, after a meeting of House Republicans on Wednesday, Boehner shifted course as the GOP announced it would put a bill with teeth on the floor that would defund the operation.

Many rank and file Republicans, led by Rooney, demanded more serious consequences and not just a resolution.

So Rooney drafted a bill that the GOP brass agreed to put on the floor. Rooney's legislation would have halted funding. But then the House voted against that plan today with 89 Republicans defecting.

In exclusive comments to Fox News, Rooney took the blame.

"It was my bill. You can blame me," Rooney said. "I think we tried to limit funds so our kids weren't in harm's way but not leave NATO on their own. People either wanted all or they wanted nothing. Now we are back to square one."