Mike Levin: “some have argued that the Congress has not authorized or debated United States involvement in Kosovo since the Senate…”

“some have argued that the Congress has not authorized or debated United States involvement in Kosovo since the Senate, in March of 1999, authorized airstrikes against Yugoslavia. That is not correct. On June 10, 1999, during the House of Representatives consideration of the Department of Defense authorization bill, the House approved an amendment offered by Mr. Skelton that deleted language in the bill as reported out of committee that would have prohibited any funding for combat or peacekeeping operations in Yugoslavia after September of 1999. The vote on the House floor was 270-155. Additionally, on May 25, 1999, during the Senate's consideration of the Department of Defense authorization bill, Senator Specter offered an amendment that would have prohibited the use of funds for the deployment of United States ground troops in Yugoslavia, except for peacekeeping personnel, unless authorized by a joint resolution authorizing the use of military force. Senator Specter's amendment was tabled by a vote of 52-48. Proponents of this bill assert that Congress has a constitutional responsibility to address policy issues involving the deployment of U.S. troops overseas in instances in which American men and women are being sent into potentially dangerous situations. But the language singles out the involvement in Kosovo. The language relates to Kosovo, not to a general principle. The United States has been enforcing a no-fly zone in Iraq for more than 9 years. U.S.…”