On the recordJune 24, 2011
I thank our distinguished chairwoman for yielding and thank her for her leadership today and every day on human rights issues. Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 68. You know, when U.S. intervention in Libya began last March, I raised--and I was among many--several still unanswered questions about our involvement. They included questions about the identity and the aims of the rebels, the varying Presidential statements that seemed to shift like the wind, the level of U.S. involvement, the possibility of Qadhafi retaliating against American interests outside of Libya, and whether U.S. ground troops might well be requested at some point, although the resolution seems to clearly say that that would not be authorized by Congress. In the course of the debate over the constitutionality and viability of the War Powers resolution, these questions have remained unanswered. The President has refused to seek congressional approval of his action or even to provide a full explanation of his decisions. As the NATO campaign continues, new questions have arisen about U.S. participation and what is now NATO's involvement in Libya. {time} 1110 Let me just say mention was made a moment ago by Mr. Levin about Kosova and that somehow the Republican opposition to military action in Kosova was political. It absolutely was not! I remember because I was very involved in trying to mitigate the Balkan troubles.…
