[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 20 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 20

   Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in 
                 support of the NATO mission in Libya.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 21 (legislative day, June 16), 2011

  Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Durbin, 
 Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Graham, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Cardin, and 
  Mr. Kirk) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read 
        twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
   Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in 
                 support of the NATO mission in Libya.

Whereas peaceful demonstrations that began in Libya, inspired by similar 
        movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in the Middle East, quickly 
        spread to cities around the country, calling for greater political 
        reform, opportunity, justice, and the rule of law.
Whereas Muammar Qaddafi, his sons, and forces loyal to them responded to the 
        peaceful demonstrations by authorizing and initiating violence against 
        civilian non-combatants in Libya, including the use of airpower and 
        foreign mercenaries;
Whereas, on February 25, 2011, President Barack Obama imposed unilateral 
        economic sanctions on, and froze the assets of, Muammar Qaddafi and his 
        family, as well as the Government of Libya and its agencies to hold the 
        Qaddafi regime accountable for its continued use of violence against 
        unarmed civilians and its human rights abuses and to safeguard the 
        assets of the people of Libya;
Whereas, on February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed 
        Resolution 1970, which mandates international economic sanctions and an 
        arms embargo;
Whereas, in response to Qaddafi's assault on civilians in Libya, a ``no-fly 
        zone'' in Libya was called for by the Gulf Cooperation Council on March 
        7, 2011; by the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on 
        March 8, 2011; and by the Arab League on March 12, 2011;
Whereas Qaddafi's advancing forces, after recapturing cities in eastern Libya 
        that had been liberated by the Libyan opposition, were preparing to 
        attack Benghazi, a city of 700,000 people and the seat of the opposition 
        government in Libya, the Interim Transitional National Council;
Whereas Qaddafi stated that he would show ``no mercy'' to his opponents in 
        Benghazi, and that his forces would go ``door to door'' to find and kill 
        dissidents;
Whereas, on March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security Council passed 
        Resolution 1973, which mandates ``all necessary measures'' to protect 
        civilians in Libya, implement a ``no-fly zone'', and enforce an arms 
        embargo against the Qaddafi regime;
Whereas President Obama notified key congressional leaders in a meeting at the 
        White House on March 18, 2011, of his intent to begin targeted military 
        operations in Libya and made clear that the United States ``is not going 
        to deploy ground troops into Libya'';
Whereas the United States Armed Forces, together with coalition partners, 
        launched Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya on March 19, 2011, to protect 
        civilians in Libya from immediate danger and enforce an arms embargo and 
        a ``no-fly zone'';
Whereas, on March 28, 2011, President Obama stated, ``America has an important 
        strategic interest in preventing Qaddafi from overrunning those who 
        oppose him. A massacre would have driven thousands of additional 
        refugees across Libya's borders, putting enormous strains on the 
        peaceful--yet fragile--transitions in Egypt and Tunisia. The democratic 
        impulses that are dawning across the region would be eclipsed by the 
        darkest form of dictatorship, as repressive leaders concluded that 
        violence is the best strategy to cling to power . . . So while I will 
        never minimize the costs involved in military action, I am convinced 
        that a failure to act in Libya would have carried a far greater price 
        for America.'';
Whereas, on March 31, 2011, the United States transferred authority for 
        Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya to NATO command, with the mission 
        continuing as Operation Unified Protector;
Whereas, in a letter to joint bipartisan congressional leaders on May 20, 2011, 
        President Obama expressed support for a Senate resolution on the use of 
        force in Libya and stated that, ``Since April 4, U.S. participation has 
        consisted of: (1) non-kinetic support to the NATO-led operation, 
        including intelligence, logistical support, and search and rescue 
        assistance (2) aircraft that have assisted in the suppression and 
        destruction of air defenses in support of the no-fly zone and (3) since 
        April 23, precision strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles against a 
        limited set of clearly defined targets in support of the NATO-led 
        coalition's efforts.''; and
Whereas, on June 9, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized the 
        Transitional National Council ``as the legitimate interlocutor for the 
        Libyan people during this interim period.'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and 
        coalition partners who are engaged in military operations to 
        protect the people of Libya have demonstrated extraordinary 
        bravery and should be commended;
            (2) the United States Government should continue to support 
        the aspirations of the people of Libya for political reform and 
        self-government based on democratic and human rights;
            (3) the goal of United States policy in Libya, as stated by 
        the President, is to achieve the departure from power of 
        Muammar Qaddafi and his family, including through the use of 
        diplomatic and economic pressure, so that a peaceful transition 
        can begin to an inclusive government that ensures freedom, 
        opportunity, and justice for the people of Libya; and
            (4) the funds of the Qaddafi regime that have been frozen 
        by the United States should be returned to the people of Libya 
        for their benefit, including humanitarian and reconstruction 
        assistance, and the President should explore the possibility 
        with the Transitional National Council of using some of such 
        funds to reimburse NATO countries for expenses incurred in 
        Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE LIMITED USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 
              IN LIBYA.

    (a) Authority.--The President is authorized to continue the limited 
use of the United States Armed Forces in Libya, in support of United 
States national security policy interests, as part of the NATO mission 
to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011) as 
requested by the Transitional National Council, the Gulf Cooperation 
Council, and the Arab League.
    (b) Expiration of Authority.--The authorization for such limited 
use of United States Armed Forces in Libya expires one year after the 
date of the enactment of this joint resolution.

SEC. 3. OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF UNITED STATES GROUND TROOPS.

    Consistent with the policy and statements of the President, 
Congress does not support deploying, establishing, or maintaining the 
presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the 
ground in Libya unless the purpose of the presence is limited to the 
immediate personal defense of United States Government officials 
(including diplomatic representatives) or to rescuing members of NATO 
forces from imminent danger.

SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    The President shall consult frequently with Congress regarding 
United States efforts in Libya, including by providing regular 
briefings and reports as requested, and responding to inquiries 
promptly. Such briefings and reports shall include the following 
elements:
            (1) An updated description of United States national 
        security interests in Libya.
            (2) An updated statement of United States policy objectives 
        in Libya, both during and after Qaddafi's rule, and a detailed 
        plan to achieve them.
            (3) An updated and comprehensive list of the activities of 
        the United States Armed Forces in Libya.
            (4) An updated and detailed assessment of the groups in 
        Libya that are opposed to the Qaddafi regime, including 
        potential successor governments.
            (5) A full and updated explanation of the President's legal 
        and constitutional rationale for conducting military operations 
        in Libya consistent with the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
        1541 et seq.).
                                 <all>