Deutch Bill on Libyan Conflict Passes Foreign Affairs Committee

Press Release

Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed the Libya Stabilization Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism.

"The Libya Stabilization Act demonstrates Congressional interest in de-escalating the conflict, reviving diplomacy, and ending foreign intervention in Libya. It makes the threat of sanctions more credible and signals bipartisan support for their implementation against any unhelpful actors in Libya," said Congressman Deutch. "Today's unanimous vote in the Foreign Affairs Committee demonstrates the bipartisan commitment to block others who challenge our interests and to work with the UN, our European allies, regional states, and Libyans to end the war and rebuild Libya."

Since April 2019, Libya has increasingly endured foreign intervention in an escalating conflict that undermines U.S. interests and regional stability. The war has provided Russia a foothold in North Africa and influence over Libya's energy industry, undermined NATO solidarity and threatened European security, destabilized Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean more broadly, and exacerbated a humanitarian and migrant crisis. In recent weeks, the conflict has threatened to spiral further as a Turkish-backed offensive progressed and Egypt warned of a military intervention in response.

The Libya Stabilization Act sanctions those who deploy mercenaries, support militias, violate the UN arms embargo, and commit human rights violations in Libya. It also calls on the United States to take a more active role in diplomacy to resolve the conflict; to support humanitarian assistance, democratic governance, civil society, and future elections; and to improve Libya's public sector financial management, specifically of the Central Bank and National Oil Corporation, which are flashpoints between the warring parties.

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