Murphy Votes to Stop Unathorized Military Action in Libya

Statement

The House today voted on two resolutions regarding the scope of US operations in Libya. The first, HJ Res 68, would have authorized the President's current use of force in Libya for one year. The resolution, which Congressman Murphy opposed, was defeated by a vote of 295-193.

The second bill, HR 2278, would prohibit air strikes, predator attacks, ground forces action and related military hostilities in Libya. The bill made a narrow exception for non-lethal and technical support, such as aerial refueling and search and rescue missions. Murphy voted for HR 2278, which failed to pass the House on a 180-238 vote.

"The President still has an obligation to come before Congress and explain the reasons for military engagement in Libya, yet has failed despite numerous requests and an adopted congressional resolution requiring him to do so," said Murphy. "While we are still waiting for the President to define our goals in Afghanistan we cannot afford to open a new war front without authorization from Congress."

In other Libya-related news, White House officials said Thursday the President is authorizing the release of 30 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), about 5% of the 727 million barrels in the US oil stockpile meant to be saved for national emergencies, citing events in Libya that have caused a significant supply disruption.

However, experts are questioning the short-term effects a small release, about as much oil as the US consumes in one and a half days, would have on gas prices even in the short term. And in the long term, tapping the SPR does nothing to increase oil supplies or end our addiction to foreign oil.

"Releasing strategic oil reserves from the SPR is not a long term solution to lessen the impact of market disruptions from our dependence on foreign oil. In fact, this move will have little impact on gas prices. At the same time the Administration is rejecting opportunities to increase production right here at home," said Murphy. "While we continue to send billions of dollars each year to OPEC countries to support their economies, ours continues to struggle. This is nothing but a drop in the bucket compared to what we could achieve if we were to harness our own vast energy resources."

Last month, Congressman Murphy introduced HR 1861, the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act, which would open up the outer continental shelf to safe oil and gas production and use the proceeds from new, expanded royalty and lease payments for investment in rebuilding our infrastructure and developing clean energy technologies.

"Unlocking our own offshore reserves, where there is enough oil to replace imports from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela for the next 80 years, will have a much greater impact on gas prices and our economy than what appears to be a nearsighted move designed to placate the Administration's critics," said Murphy.

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