WASHINGTON – Lawmakers who believe President Obama didn’t properly consult with Congress before launching airstrikes on Libya are pressing the Pentagon for documents and material on all communications.

The House Armed Services Committee, beginning a marathon session Wednesday to craft a $553 billion budget for the Defense Department next year, unanimously approved the measure seeking “any official document, record, memo, correspondence or other communication of the Department of Defense …. that refers or relates to any consultation with Congress” on Libya.

Republicans and some Democrats have complained that Obama failed to consult with Congress before initiating the military operation to protect civilians from Moammar Gadhafi’s forces in Libya. The administration and some Republican senators, including John McCain of Arizona, said the U.S. had to act quickly to avoid a massacre in Benghazi.

“Although select members were invited to a conference call during a constituent work week, immediately preceding the president’s press conference, a phone call can hardly be considered significant consultation,” said Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif, the panel chairman.

On the agenda for the committee’s day-into-night session were the pace of withdrawing forces from Afghanistan, gays in the military and the transfer of detainees from the military prison at Guantanamo. The first hours of the session focused on military aircraft, carrier ships and a request to the Navy for a timeline on reopening a trap and skeet shooting range at the Miramar Air Station in California.

Obama envisions cuts of $400 billion in defense over the next 12 years.