Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. DICKS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Kucinich amendment.

The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Washington is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. DICKS. First of all, the President has made a very strong case for our military action in Libya. I think, as Commander in Chief, he has the authority. We had a U.N. resolution, the NATO allies were involved and so was the Arab League.

There is another option. The other option is the War Powers Act. And I hope at some point the President will ask for congressional support of his initiative in Libya.

The idea that we're going to pull out of this unilaterally and undermine the NATO alliance I think is a terrible mistake. Although I have the greatest respect for the gentleman from Ohio, I'm strongly opposed to his amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. DICKS. First of all, the President has made a very strong case for our military action in Libya. I think, as Commander in Chief, he has the authority. We had a U.N. resolution, the NATO allies were involved and so was the Arab League.

There is another option. The other option is the War Powers Act. And I hope at some point the President will ask for congressional support of his initiative in Libya.

The idea that we're going to pull out of this unilaterally and undermine the NATO alliance I think is a terrible mistake. Although I have the greatest respect for the gentleman from Ohio, I'm strongly opposed to his amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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