On the recordJune 16, 2016
This bipartisan amendment will block funds from being used to engage in hostilities in Libya in contravention of the War Powers Resolution. This amendment simply reaffirms the constitutional role of Congress in determining when U.S. forces will be introduced into hostilities when the U.S. has not been attacked and is not in imminent danger of attack. What this amendment would do is reaffirm that the administration does not have authority to target anyone in Libya who is not ISIS or al Qaeda or an associated force to either without getting explicit authority from Congress. More than 4 years after a U.S.-led NATO military intervention helped Libyan rebels topple the authoritarian government of Muammar Qadhafi, Libya remains a failed state that is a terrorist safe haven. Given that, U.S. military involvement in Libya may deepen in 2016 to combat ISIS and potentially provide support to the national security forces of an emergent Government of National Accord. It is imperative that, before U.S. military involvement is increased, any administration come before Congress for an authorization. I want to reiterate that this amendment will not limit the ability to go after ISIS or al Qaeda. Mr. Chairman, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
