[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 55 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2539-S2540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 146--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT IT IS 
NOT IN THE VITAL INTEREST 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 THE 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

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

                              S. Res. 146

       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

[[Page S2540]]

     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).

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