[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1059-E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REGARDING DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN LIBYA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH J. HECK

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. HECK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
292.
  On March 19, 2011, in response to United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 1973, the Obama administration, in cooperation with our NATO 
allies, commenced Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce a no-fly zone in 
Libyan airspace.
  In accordance with the War Powers Resolution, the administration must 
seek congressional authorization for this operation within 60 days.
  Madam Speaker, that 60 days has come and gone, and we are now on our 
77th day of conducting military operations in Libya. Yet the President 
has still not sought congressional authorization.
  Without congressional authorization, the War Powers Resolution 
dictates that the President must withdraw our forces within 90 days.
  As that 90th day rapidly approaches, this legislation puts the 
administration on notice that it has 14 days to provide a compelling 
rationale for our involvement in Libya, or Congress will exercise its 
constitutional prerogative to withhold funds for this operation.

[[Page E1060]]

  Since the commencement of operations, the administration has often 
cited the need to protect civilians in Libya as the basis for our 
involvement in this operation.
  While I understand the moral imperative to assist and protect these 
civilians as they engage in open conflict with a tyrannical and 
oppressive government, it cannot be the policy of the United States to 
commit U.S. troops to every civil conflict throughout the world.
  In fact, this is not U.S. policy. The Arab Spring has ushered in an 
era of civil unrest throughout the Middle East. Civilians in Syria, 
Yemen, Egypt, Bahrain, Iran, and Tunisia have all risen up in protest 
against their governments.
  The outcome of each of these uprisings has varied significantly, as 
have the national security implications for the United States. Yet the 
United States did not come to the aid of these civilians.
  So why then is Libya different? Why is it in the national security 
interests of the United States to involve ourselves in this civil 
conflict and not the others?
  As Members of Congress we have a responsibility to the American 
people to ask these questions and the President has the obligation to 
answer them.
  If the President is unable or unwilling to communicate a 
justification that clearly defines U.S. national security interests for 
committing U.S. troops and resources to Libya, then we have an 
obligation to compel him to withdraw.
  H. Res. 292 does this and it does it in a responsible manner.
  The alternative, Madam Speaker, is to support the bill offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Kucinich, and force the President to withdraw 
our forces in 15 days.
  While I commend the gentleman from Ohio for offering this legislation 
and appreciate his efforts to hold the administration accountable for 
committing U.S. Forces without congressional authorization, I have a 
number of concerns with the 15 day timeline.
  First, it is logistically impossible to completely and responsibly 
disengage our forces within this short timeframe. We should not shackle 
our military leaders with an unrealistic mandate to withdraw because 
their Commander-in-Chief did not comply with his obligations under War 
Powers Resolution.
  They must be given adequate time to plan, organize and execute this 
withdrawal. Fifteen days simply does not permit this.
  Additionally, while I agree that Congress' ultimate responsibility is 
to the American people, withdrawing our forces in fifteen days would 
completely undermine our number one obligation to provide for the 
common defense of the United States.
  The safety and security of our nation depends greatly on the 
cooperation and commitments of our allies.
  The NATO alliance is the centerpiece of our efforts to support and 
promote safety and stability throughout the world.
  Withdrawing our forces from Libya in 15 days pulls the rug out from 
under our NATO allies and would have dire consequences for our future 
cooperation and the security of the United States.
  Like our military leaders, our NATO allies must be provided ample 
time to reassess and reorganize their military strategy to carry out 
operations without our support. Again, 15 days does not permit this.
  For these reasons I cannot support Mr. Kucinch's legislation. While I 
agree that we must hold the administration accountable, we must not do 
so at the expense of our allies.
  Madam Speaker, H. Res. 292 is the responsible alternative. It asserts 
congressional authority by compelling the administration to adhere to 
its obligations under the War Powers Resolution, while at the same time 
ensuring that we do not undermine our allies.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 292, and to 
vote down H. Con. Res. 51.

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