Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Today’s Vote on Libya Resolutions

June 24, 2011

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Statement on Today’s Vote on Libya Resolutions

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Financial Services Committee released the following statement regarding today’s vote on Libya resolutions:

“Today, I voted to authorize the President to continue the limited use of the United States Armed Forces to avert a humanitarian calamity in Libya and bring to an end the atrocities that Libyan leader Qadhafi persists in inflicting on Libyan citizens. This crisis threatens the lives of Libyans, the stability of North Africa and the Middle East, and global security.

“The international community has united in support of this global imperative. From its inception, this has been an international initiative to enforce UN Resolution 1973 and respond to the request of Libya’s Transitional National Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Arab League. President Obama deployed U.S. assets early in the campaign, making use of our particular expertise, as part of the NATO mission, and, as promised, he promptly transferred leadership to NATO.

“I support the essential U.S. participation in the NATO led operation including intelligence, logistical support, and search and rescue assistance. U.S. troops are not engaged in operations on the ground, and the authorizing resolution I supported today opposes the deployment of ground troops. The coordination of nations to respond to events that offend common morality and human sensibilities is, in itself, a tremendous success. I regret that this resolution failed to pass today. It is my hope that the U.S. Congress and President will similarly unite to ensure mission success.”