Costello Votes Against Authorization of Military Operations in Libya

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted against two resolutions to grant the President authority to conduct military operations in Libya. The first resolution, H.J. Res. 68, would have granted congressional authorization for U.S. military operations in Libya for one year, as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied mission there. The second resolution, H.R. 2278, would have prohibited the use of funds in support of NATO operations in Libya unless specifically authorized by Congress, but included an exception for specific, non-combat related activities, such as reconnaissance missions. Costello voted against both because he does not support U.S. involvement in Libya; both resolutions failed to pass.

"I do not agree with President Obama's positions on Libya or Afghanistan, and I have continued to say that the United States should immediately end its military involvement in Libya and bring our troops home from Afghanistan," said Costello. "Neither of today's resolutions would require the President to change course. According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, our involvement in Libya has cost $750 million as of May 12, with the cost continuing to rise. We simply cannot afford it, and there is not a compelling national security need to be there. Nor can we afford the $10 billion per month that we are spending as a result of our continued military presence in Afghanistan. Our economic vitality is a critical part of our national security, and as we seek to find solutions to serious fiscal challenges, we need these resources to create jobs here at home by improving our roads, bridges, airports and levees, as well as paying down our national debt."

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