Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) U.S. military intervention in Libya, as explained by the President, is not in the vital interests of the United States; (2) the President should have consulted with Congress prior to committing the U.S. Armed Forces either independently or as a major part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations; (3) the President should obtain authorization from Congress before providing further military and financial support to Libya operations and should not assume that such an authorization would equate to the U.S. Armed Forces leading any future strike or support operations; (4) prior to further U.S. military involvement NATO members and other nations with a vital regional interest should agree to provide a substantial portion of the military and financial burdens associated with Operation Unified Protector; and (5) members of the Arab League should ensure that all of their military resources are available to enforce U.N. Resolutions 1970 and 1973.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 146 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 146
Expressing the sense of the Senate that it is not in the vital
interests of the United States to intervene militarily in Libya,
calling on NATO to ensure that member states dedicate the resources
necessary to ensure that objectives as outlined in United Nations
Resolutions 1970 and 1973 are accomplished, and to urge members of the
Arab League who have yet to participate in operations over Libya to
provide additional military and financial assistance.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 14, 2011
Mr. Ensign (for himself, Mrs. Hutchison, and Mr. Manchin) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Senate that it is not in the vital
interests of the United States to intervene militarily in Libya,
calling on NATO to ensure that member states dedicate the resources
necessary to ensure that objectives as outlined in United Nations
Resolutions 1970 and 1973 are accomplished, and to urge members of the
Arab League who have yet to participate in operations over Libya to
provide additional military and financial assistance.
Whereas, on March 28, 2011, President Barack Obama, in an address to the Nation,
said ``. . . at my direction, America led an effort with our allies at
the United Nations Security Council to pass a historic resolution that
authorized a no-fly zone to stop the regime's attacks from the air and
further authorized all necessary measures to protect the Libyan
people'';
Whereas, in that same address to the Nation, President Obama said he ordered
military action to prevent ``. . . a massacre that would have
reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the
world'';
Whereas, on March 19, 2011, following passage of United Nations Resolution 1973,
the United States began conducting air and sea strikes against Libya in
what was labeled Operation Odyssey Dawn;
Whereas President Obama has not sought from Congress authorization for the use
of military force against Libya;
Whereas passage of a non-binding, simple resolution by the Senate is not
equivalent to an authorization for the use of military force, passed by
both the House and the Senate and signed by the President;
Whereas Senate Resolution 85 (112th Congress) should not be interpreted as an
expression of congressional consent for United States military
intervention in Libya;
Whereas, on March 31, 2011, the United States Armed Forces transferred command
of air operations over Libya to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) under Operation Unified Protector;
Whereas, at the time of the transfer to NATO, the United States had conducted
1,206 sorties and launched 216 Tomahawk missiles, while other NATO
forces had conducted 784 sorties and launched 7 Tomahawk missiles;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces have performed and continue to perform
their assigned missions brilliantly and have once again demonstrated
that they are the best in the world;
Whereas, prior to the United States transferring command to NATO, President
Obama stated, ``Going forward, the lead in enforcing the no-fly zone and
protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and
partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the
pressure on Qaddafi's remaining forces.'';
Whereas, President Obama also stated that the United States would ``play a
supporting role'' following transition to NATO, and that because of this
transition, the risk and cost of this operation would be reduced
significantly;
Whereas, after April 2, 2011, no United States combat aircraft were to fly
strike missions over Libya unless specifically requested by NATO;
Whereas, after April 2, 2011, NATO immediately requested and was granted
approval for a 48-hour extension of United States strike aircraft for
participation in operations over Libya;
Whereas United States combat aircraft are currently scheduled to remain on
standby in the region, in the event NATO commanders request additional
assistance;
Whereas, Abdel Fattah Younes, head of the rebel forces, stated on April 5, 2011,
that NATO has been ``disappointing'' and ``slow'' in calling in
airstrikes, which have allowed Moammar Qaddafi's military to gain
momentum and push back rebel forces;
Whereas, of the 21 members in the Arab League, only 2 countries have contributed
any military resources to support United Nations Resolutions 1970 and
1973; and
Whereas it is in the interest of Arab nations to work with coalition forces to
work to end violence, attacks, and abuses of civilians in Libya: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) United States military intervention in Libya, as
explained by the President, is not in the vital interests of
the United States;
(2) the President should have consulted with members of
Congress prior to committing the United States Armed Forces
either independently or as a major part of NATO operations;
(3) the President should obtain authorization from Congress
before providing further military and financial support to
operations in Libya and should not assume that such an
authorization would equate to the United States Armed Forces
leading any future strike or support operations;
(4) prior to further involvement of United States military
personnel or equipment, fellow NATO members and other nations
that have a vital interest in the region should agree to
provide a substantial portion of the military and financial
burdens associated with Operation Unified Protector; and
(5) members of the Arab League should ensure that all of
their military resources are available to enforce United
Nations Resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011).
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2539-2540)
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