III 

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, 


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•SRES 146 IS 

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; 


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•SRES 146 IS 

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; 


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•SRES 146 IS 

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 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that— 

2 (1) United States military intervention in 

3 Libya, as explained by the President, is not in the 

4 vital interests of the United States; 

5 (2) the President should have consulted with 

6 members of Congress prior to committing the United 

7 States Armed Forces either independently or as a 

8 major part of NATO operations; 

9 (3) the President should obtain authorization 

10 from Congress before providing further military and 

11 financial support to operations in Libya and should 

12 not assume that such an authorization would equate 

13 to the United States Armed Forces leading any fu14 ture strike or support operations; 

15 (4) prior to further involvement of United 

16 States military personnel or equipment, fellow 

17 NATO members and other nations that have a vital 

18 interest in the region should agree to provide a sub19 stantial portion of the military and financial burdens 

20 associated with Operation Unified Protector; and 


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•SRES 146 IS 

1 (5) members of the Arab League should ensure 

2 that all of their military resources are available to 

3 enforce United Nations Resolutions 1970 and 1973 

4 (2011). 

Æ 


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