Congressman West (R-FL) Statement on Libya War Powers Resolution

Release:

WASHINGTON ---- Congressman Allen West (FL-22) released this statement today after voting yes for H. Con. Resolution 51 by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, which directs President Obama to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya no later than 15 days after the adoption of this concurrent resolution:

"Since the opening hours of military action on March 19th, President Barack Obama has had no clear direction in Libya. The President has not defined the mission nor the end state of this conflict. Further, the President has not identified who the so-called rebels are that continue to receive  millions of dollars of American support in terms of weapons, ammunition, and resources.  As a 22-year Army combat veteran, I can tell you from experience that successful mission completion is obtained by properly defining the very things I have mentioned, which President Obama has failed to do. We cannot continue this 'mission creep' kind of warfare.

It has now been 74 days since President Obama informed Congress on the introduction of American forces into Libya as required by the War Powers Resolution. Since March 21st, Congress has not declared war or enacted a specific authorization for the use of force, and has not extended the 60-day period required by the War Powers Resolution.

President Barack Obama is in violation of the law – plain and simple – and he must be held accountable. We don't need to give the President anymore time.  Many Americans, myself included, still don't understand how America is benefitting from having forces in Libya in the first place.  The very foundation of our Republic lies on the system of checks and balances, and as a Member of the United States Congress, I have a Constitutional obligation to ensure this system is upheld."