[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LIMITED USE OF FORCE IN 
                  SUPPORT OF THE NATO MISSION IN LIBYA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation 
authorizing the limited use of United States forces in support of the 
NATO mission in Libya. This resolution is a companion to a Senate joint 
resolution introduced today by Senators John Kerry, John McCain, 
Benjamin Cardin, and Richard Durbin.
  Since Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi responded to peaceful 
demonstrations by attacking Libya's own citizens, the United States has 
been actively engaged with our international allies in thwarting the 
ability of the Qaddafi regime to visit violence, murder, and 
destruction on the people of Libya. This past February, the United 
States imposed economic sanctions on Libya and froze the assets of its 
leadership, promising to hold Qaddafi, his family, and the government 
of Libya accountable for its human rights abuses. Qaddafi responded by 
increasing his assaults on civilians. As Libyan forces approached the 
city of Benghazi, in which Qaddafi vowed to show ``no mercy'' to 
opposition forces which had captured the city, the United Nations 
Security Council passed Resolution 1793, mandating ``all necessary 
measures'' to protect civilians in Libya, implementing a ``no-fly 
zone'', and enforcing an arms embargo. On March 19, the United States 
Armed Forces and our coalition partners launched Operation Odyssey Dawn 
in an effort to enforce the Security Council resolution. That mission 
has since come under NATO command and is now called Operation Unified 
Protector.
  Mr. Speaker, there can be no question that the United States is 
engaged in hostilities in Libya. Our Armed Forces have assisted in 
combat operations including providing intelligence, aerial refueling, 
targeting, and other aspects of NATO's daily bombardment of Libyan 
forces loyal to Qaddafi. The President engaged in these hostilities 
without an authorization from Congress, and has anyway exceeded the 60-
day War Powers limitation on the use of force without congressional 
consent. It is high time that Congress asserts its authority and 
engages proactively with the administration on this most serious 
question of war.
  But the solution, Mr. Speaker, is not to simply cut off funds. 
Instead, Congress must limit and closely monitor the President's 
commitment of forces. This resolution authorizes the use of force in 
Libya for one year from the date of enactment, limiting the President's 
ability to engage our Armed Forces indefinitely. This resolution bans 
the use of ground forces and requires the President to continually 
report to Congress on the progress of our military operations, the 
plans to achieve our stated goals, and the changing situation on the 
ground. We must also make an effort to put Libya's frozen assets to 
good use, returning funds to the Libyan people and using some of that 
money to offset the cost of NATO's operations.
  It is too late to debate whether we should be involved or not: we 
already are. What we must do is ensure that the legislative and 
executive branches are working in harmony to maintain a military 
commitment that is limited and brief, and that best serves the people 
of Libya. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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