Stop Funding U.S. Military Involvement in Libya Now
By Guest Post | Friday, June 17th, 2011 | Columns, Policyby Congressman Scott Rigell
It has been 90 days since the U.S. portion of the military operation to enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution began. I have been a strong opponent of this engagement from day one, and according to law, this 90-day milestone is the deadline by which the President must obtain Congress’s authorization to send U.S. forces into “hostilities,” per the War Powers Resolution.
Today the Wall Street Journal said, “If House Republicans are truly interested in ending the Libyan war, they can cut off all funds for military operations.” I couldn’t agree more. In early May, I introduced a bill to defund Operation Odyssey Dawn, and I continue to encourage my colleagues and our party’s leadership to consider using the power of the purse to end American operations in Libya.
Like many of my colleagues, I firmly believe that we must protect the power of Congress granted by our Founders under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which says that only Congress can declare war.
Unfortunately, President Obama’s Administration recently declared that the Executive Branch does not need authorization from Congress to enter into hostilities. In its April 1, 2011, Memorandum to President Obama, the Office of Legal Counsel concluded:
“…President Obama could rely on his constitutional power to safeguard the national interest by directing the anticipated military operations in Libya—which were limited in their nature, scope, and duration—without prior congressional authorization.”
The dangerous precedent this opinion sets, where “national interest” is enough to engage in major hostilities unilaterally, is unacceptable.
Yesterday, Speaker Boehner indicated that Congress may use the power of the purse to address this issue. My legislation would do this. I thank Speaker Boehner for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to bring an end to our military involvement in Libya.
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Comments
6 Responses to "Stop Funding U.S. Military Involvement in Libya Now"
The administration and others are just trying to interpret the words of the law and the Constitution to justify their goals, much like they do with their progressive agenda. If you ask the average person if it should be okay for just one elected official to decide to attack another nation, I would think (and hope) they would say no. Common sense would dictate that in a democratic republic, that the representatives of the people make that decision, unless sending in troops to rescue hostages or responding to an attack. Also, there does need to be a formal declaration of war, so the representatives who choose that course can be held fully accountable for that decision, and not hide behind “I didn’t think he (President) would do that”, which is what has happened in the past with Congressional authorization of the use of force.
I’m coming around to this position. I thought taking out Quadaffi’s air force was worth doing. I still don’t understand why we had to be involved really, the Brits and the French were really pushing for it and it’s more in their sphere of influence than ours. We don’t need to be involved in EVERY military action on the planet. Reinforces what Gates has been saying about our NATO allies not living up to their commitments.
How about Afghanistan? Why continue to fund this blunder where American draped coffins arrive weekly. Why selectively support nation building? Both are hot beds for terrorist training. Why the difference? Please explain.
Dear Wally,
The people Obama is supporting in Libya (and Egypt) Are the terrorists and their enablers. I do agree that we should lighten up in Afghanistan because reading Miranda rights to the Taliban is not going to be very effective. Might as well just send in the drones since Obama is quite happy with blasting men women and children without a trial with a drone. He’s also doing a good job on Qaddafi’s extended family.
Thank you Congressman Rigell for your valuable service in this important area. Who can reign in the imperial presidency if not Congress? Congress must not shrink from these showdowns with the executive branch.
I firmly believe that we must protect the power of Congress granted by our Founders under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which says that only Congress can declare war. But I’m not a hypocrite; what was your opinion or any of the following:
Afghanistan
Iraq
Yemen
Pakistan
Korea
Cambodia
Yugoslavia
Vietnam
Laos
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Somalia
…
Leave your response