On the recordMarch 30, 2011
That was the question raised by the President in his address to the American people the night before last, as to whether it is in the best interest of the United States to step forward with our unique capability--in this case, our air power, as well as our technology--to protect innocent human life. There are some who will argue that he should not have done it, and we should have just waited to see if Qadhafi would keep his word to kill all these innocent people. I think the President made the right, humane decision. Had we made a fraction of that decision in Rwanda, it might have spared tens of thousands of people from dying. The same thing might have happened in Darfur. I think the Presidents who were in power at that time both personally regret the fact that we didn't do anything as those genocides unfolded. President Obama did not want that to occur on his watch and thought the United States, in a limited military commitment, could help spare innocent people in Libya from this carnage. We can debate as to whether that is appropriate, and I am sure we will. I know the Senator from Kentucky has his own beliefs on the subject. I ask unanimous consent that the Senator from Kansas, Mr. Moran, be recognized to speak in debate only and that following his remarks, I suggest the absence of a quorum and the clerk will call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Kansas. Financial Challenges
