[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 194 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 194

Expressing the sense of the Senate on United States military operations 
                               in Libya.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 23, 2011

   Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
  Graham, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate on United States military operations 
                               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 Libyan civilians, 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;
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 to enforce an arms embargo 
        and a ``no-fly zone''; and
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: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the aspirations of the Libyan people for 
        political reform and self-government based on democratic and 
        human rights;
            (2) commends the service of the men and women of the United 
        States Armed Forces and our coalition partners who are engaged 
        in military operations to protect the people of Libya;
            (3) supports the limited use of military force by the 
        United States in Libya as part of the NATO mission to enforce 
        United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011), as 
        requested by the Transitional National Council, the Arab 
        League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council;
            (4) agrees that 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 non-military means, so that a peaceful transition can 
        begin to an inclusive government that ensures freedom, 
        opportunity, and justice for the people of Libya;
            (5) affirms that the funds of the Qaddafi regime that have 
        been frozen by the United States should be returned to the 
        Libyan people for their benefit, including humanitarian and 
        reconstruction assistance, and calls for exploring with the 
        Transitional National Council the possibility of using some of 
        such funds to reimburse NATO member countries for expenses 
        incurred in Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified 
        Protector; and
            (6) calls on the President--
                    (A) to submit to Congress a description of United 
                States policy objectives in Libya, both during and 
                after Qaddafi's rule, and a detailed plan to achieve 
                them; and
                    (B) to consult regularly with Congress regarding 
                United States efforts in Libya.
                                 <all>