Hastings Introduces Resolution to Limit the Use of Force in Libya

Press Release

Last night, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution authorizing the limited use of force in support of the NATO mission in Libya. This resolution is a companion to a Senate joint resolution introduced yesterday by Senators John Kerry (D-MA), John McCain (R-AZ), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), and Richard Durbin (D-IL).

"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 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."

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.

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