WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) sent a letter to President Barack Obama, asking him to clarify the purpose and scope of U.S. military action in Libya. Here are two excerpts from the letter:
“Consistent with the no-fly zone established by the United Nations Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 1973 on March 17, 2011, the U.S. formally established Operation Odyssey Dawn to support a multinational military effort to enforce a no-fly zone and protect civilians in Libya. On March 21, 2011, you formally notified Congress that the U.S. had begun military attacks on Libya, which had started on March 19, 2011. This military action, which is now on its 89th day, is in violation of the War Powers Resolution and must cease if you are unable to obtain Congressional approval.”
“We believe the military action in which the U.S. Armed Forces are presently engaged is in direct violation of the War Powers Resolution, inter alia, because (1) you did not properly consult with Congress and only officially notified Congress after the U.S. military action had commenced; and (2) the military action has exceeded the 60-day limit and none of the exceptions stated in section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution apply. The U.S. military action against Libya is now 29 days over the 60-day deadline and counting. This current protracted U.S. military action in Libya cannot continue without approval from Congress.”
A copy of the signed letter is linked below:
Letter to President Obama Regarding Libya
