[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       H.J. RES. 68 AND H.R. 2278

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today the House considered two bills 
that focused on United States involvement in Libya. Both failed to 
adequately address our role in that country.
  H.J. Res. 68 is the less objectionable of the two. I reluctantly 
supported this Resolution because it reaffirmed the United States 
limited participation in an international coalition to deal with the 
humanitarian crisis in Libya and bars all funds from being used to 
deploy, establish, or maintain a presence of Members of the Armed 
Services or private security contractors on the ground. It also sets a 
clear deadline for U.S. involvement there.
  What I would have liked to see offered was the Resolution sponsored 
by Senators Kerry and McCain. The Kerry/McCain Resolution goes further 
and clearly defines our interests and objectives in the region.
  It makes clear that it is the sense of this Congress that we will 
support the Libyan people and political reform in the country; it 
clearly defines our goal in Libya as the removal of Mummar Qaddafi and 
his family from power through the NATO mission outlined by U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1973, which includes diplomatic and 
economic pressures; and that we must support the Libyan people 
transition to a representational democracy.
  H.R. 2278 would prevent the Department of Defense from using any 
funds to support NATO in its mission to stop the slaughter of civilians 
by a dictator who has time and again made clear his disregard for the 
lives of innocents.
  Of equal concern is the fact that H.R. 2278 sets an unfortunate 
precedent and undermines key global institutions by turning our backs 
to a unified call for intervention.
  Preventing U.S. action would endanger the recent display of 
democratic aspirations by so many in the region and only emboldens the 
other despots of the world such as Syria, Iran, and Yemen, suggesting 
there are no consequences for murdering peaceful protesters.
  As I have said from the start, I would support thoughtful legislation 
that acknowledges the U.S. has chosen to answer the cries of the 
innocent Libyan people, but makes clear that our commitment to their 
aspirations of self governance is not open-ended, and which clearly 
defines our goals and--more importantly--limits. That is why I voted 
for H.J. Res. 68 and look towards the Kerry/McCain Resolution to carry 
the day because it sets the right tone.

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