On the recordJune 3, 2011
I thank my friend for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, it's a sad irony that at the same time that we're committing our sons and daughters to an armed conflict in Libya in support of democracy and the rule of law, that we are also trampling on the fundamental principles of separation of powers and the plain language of our United States Constitution, which is the supreme rule of law here at home. The United States Constitution clearly states that the President's power as Commander in Chief--to introduce our Armed Forces into hostilities--may be exercised only pursuant to three circumstances: number one, a declaration of war; number two, a specific statutory authorization; and, number three, a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States. That has not happened. So despite my great respect and affection for our President, a lawful premise for this Libyan operation does not exist. In closing, I'd just like to say that I've been to Iraq 13 times and Afghanistan 10 times. I don't meet any of our kids on their first tour of duty anymore. They're all on their third tour of duty or fourth tour of duty. We are stretched thin, and this was a gratuitous action. We should not be there. There's no lawful basis for the prosecution of this war. So I ask for the support of this resolution.
