Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank our leader on this side, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky). Members of the House, I urge support for this amendment which will help the Libya War Powers amendment, which will help to ensure that Congress can carry out its constitutional duty to authorize war. This amendment is the same language that is already included in the bill regarding military action in Syria, and it has the same rationale: Congress must be consulted when our troops are being sent into harm's way. This amendment may not block the Obama administration from taking action against al Qaeda or ISIS in Libya, but it will require that the administration come to Congress if it seeks to send our troops into Libya for any other purpose. When our country engaged in military intervention in Libya in 2011 without congressional approval, the result was that Libya became mired in a bloody civil war. This mistake could have been avoided with congressional debate. This underscores the wisdom of our constitutional Founders, who wanted robust congressional debate before we commit troops to combat in situations where we have not been attacked. Now there is growing talk that the United States may have to support the internationally recognized government in Libya, whose legitimacy is challenged by other elements in Libya.…”