[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 146 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 146

    Expressing the sense of the Senate that it is not in the vital 
   interests of the United States to intervene militarily in Libya, 
  calling on NATO to ensure that member states dedicate the resources 
   necessary to ensure that objectives as outlined in United Nations 
Resolutions 1970 and 1973 are accomplished, and to urge members of the 
  Arab League who have yet to participate in operations over Libya to 
         provide additional military and financial assistance.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 14, 2011

Mr. Ensign (for himself, Mrs. Hutchison, and Mr. Manchin) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of the Senate that it is not in the vital 
   interests of the United States to intervene militarily in Libya, 
  calling on NATO to ensure that member states dedicate the resources 
   necessary to ensure that objectives as outlined in United Nations 
Resolutions 1970 and 1973 are accomplished, and to urge members of the 
  Arab League who have yet to participate in operations over Libya to 
         provide additional military and financial assistance.

Whereas, on March 28, 2011, President Barack Obama, in an address to the Nation, 
        said ``. . . at my direction, America led an effort with our allies at 
        the United Nations Security Council to pass a historic resolution that 
        authorized a no-fly zone to stop the regime's attacks from the air and 
        further authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan 
        people'';
Whereas, in that same address to the Nation, President Obama said he ordered 
        military action to prevent ``. . . a massacre that would have 
        reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the 
        world'';
Whereas, on March 19, 2011, following passage of United Nations Resolution 1973, 
        the United States began conducting air and sea strikes against Libya in 
        what was labeled Operation Odyssey Dawn;
Whereas President Obama has not sought from Congress authorization for the use 
        of military force against Libya;
Whereas passage of a non-binding, simple resolution by the Senate is not 
        equivalent to an authorization for the use of military force, passed by 
        both the House and the Senate and signed by the President;
Whereas Senate Resolution 85 (112th Congress) should not be interpreted as an 
        expression of congressional consent for United States military 
        intervention in Libya;
Whereas, on March 31, 2011, the United States Armed Forces transferred command 
        of air operations over Libya to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
        (NATO) under Operation Unified Protector;
Whereas, at the time of the transfer to NATO, the United States had conducted 
        1,206 sorties and launched 216 Tomahawk missiles, while other NATO 
        forces had conducted 784 sorties and launched 7 Tomahawk missiles;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces have performed and continue to perform 
        their assigned missions brilliantly and have once again demonstrated 
        that they are the best in the world;
Whereas, prior to the United States transferring command to NATO, President 
        Obama stated, ``Going forward, the lead in enforcing the no-fly zone and 
        protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and 
        partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the 
        pressure on Qaddafi's remaining forces.'';
Whereas, President Obama also stated that the United States would ``play a 
        supporting role'' following transition to NATO, and that because of this 
        transition, the risk and cost of this operation would be reduced 
        significantly;
Whereas, after April 2, 2011, no United States combat aircraft were to fly 
        strike missions over Libya unless specifically requested by NATO;
Whereas, after April 2, 2011, NATO immediately requested and was granted 
        approval for a 48-hour extension of United States strike aircraft for 
        participation in operations over Libya;
Whereas United States combat aircraft are currently scheduled to remain on 
        standby in the region, in the event NATO commanders request additional 
        assistance;
Whereas, Abdel Fattah Younes, head of the rebel forces, stated on April 5, 2011, 
        that NATO has been ``disappointing'' and ``slow'' in calling in 
        airstrikes, which have allowed Moammar Qaddafi's military to gain 
        momentum and push back rebel forces;
Whereas, of the 21 members in the Arab League, only 2 countries have contributed 
        any military resources to support United Nations Resolutions 1970 and 
        1973; and
Whereas it is in the interest of Arab nations to work with coalition forces to 
        work to end violence, attacks, and abuses of civilians in Libya: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) United States military intervention in Libya, as 
        explained by the President, is not in the vital interests of 
        the United States;
            (2) the President should have consulted with members of 
        Congress prior to committing the United States Armed Forces 
        either independently or as a major part of NATO operations;
            (3) the President should obtain authorization from Congress 
        before providing further military and financial support to 
        operations in Libya and should not assume that such an 
        authorization would equate to the United States Armed Forces 
        leading any future strike or support operations;
            (4) prior to further involvement of United States military 
        personnel or equipment, fellow NATO members and other nations 
        that have a vital interest in the region should agree to 
        provide a substantial portion of the military and financial 
        burdens associated with Operation Unified Protector; and
            (5) members of the Arab League should ensure that all of 
        their military resources are available to enforce United 
        Nations Resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011).
                                 <all>