Collins Wants Limited U.S. Involvement In Libya

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released the following statement on U.S. military involvement in Libya: 

“As our nation’s top military officials have stated, we are at war with Libya.   I am troubled that the President did not seek Congressional consent prior to ordering an aggressive military action when there is no national emergency for our country.  The United Nations’ resolution is not a substitute for a vote by the United States Congress. 

Many of the Arab League states – including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman and the UAE – have considerable air assets and should be leading the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya.  In my judgment, the United States’ role should be limited to providing intelligence and logistics capabilities.  

Finally, it remains unclear what the President’s goals are in Libya and, therefore, what the definition of success would be in this conflict.  Thus far, the President has made conflicting statements on whether our mission is limited to protecting civilians or should result in regime change.”