Relating to A National Emergency Declared By the President on February 2011

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 70.

For decades, Muammar Qadhafi ruled Libya with an iron fist and with a corrupt, self-serving economic policy that stunted Libya's development and, through a security state, engaged in international terrorism, including the Lockerbie airline bombing that remains the deadliest event in aviation history.

For the past 12 years, Libya has seen its share of continuous turmoil and chaos. To the extent this resolution is a symptom of frustration about ongoing problems in Libya, that would be understandable. Any notion that this resolution will be at all useful for Libya policy is deeply misguided.

The United States actively supports the U.N.'s efforts to unify the country and its institutions under a democratically elected government.

These talks are ongoing, and violence has decreased over the last several years. The economy is doing better in part because U.S. sanctions have helped decrease oil banditry.

Lifting sanctions on the worst actors in Libya, the individuals who have perpetuated violence and instability, would send the exact wrong message to those pursuing economic reform.

Whereas economic pressure and tough diplomacy have brought parties to the table, a free pass on sanctions would have the exact opposite impact.

In general, there have been two large batches of sanctions under the Libya executive order. The Obama administration issued the first tranche against the Qadhafi family and its fiefdom of business and fake charities.

The Trump administration issued the second set that sanctioned individuals who committed grave human rights abuses and prevented the theft of Libyan oil by pirates and illegal merchants.

It is unclear to me how letting any of these people access American finance would be beneficial to the United States or to Libya or to the MENA region.

One of the most notable people currently sanctioned under the program is Qadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam Qadhafi. When the protests began, Saif al-Islam went on television and threatened ``rivers of blood'' if the protestors did not cease.

He has never condemned his father. He has never condemned his father's despotic rule and is actively seeking to regain power in Libya as we speak.

The Qadhafi family controlled billions of dollars in assets. If sanctions are lifted on the remaining members of the Qadhafi family, the Qadhafis would have access to a windfall of wealth, which they plundered from the Libyan people. Instead of the frozen funds going to the Libyan people, they would go to the family that imprisoned and impoverished them.

I cannot support anything like that outcome, Mr. Speaker. I must strongly oppose and hope all of the Members of this House opposes H.J. Res. 70.

Mr. Speaker, I will be brief because, unfortunately, when we are in this august body, the world is looking at us. As I was scratching my head on the first resolution, I continue to do that.

Judgments I use in making determinations is: Is this good for America?

The question is, does this resolution promote America's national security? The answer to that is no.

Does this resolution support America's economic interests? The answer to that is no.

Would this resolution undermine America's standing in Libya? The answer to that is absolutely yes.

Would this resolution undermine our standing in the region? The answer to that would be absolutely yes.

Mr. Speaker, there is no need for me to continue to stand to debate this. I strongly oppose, and I believe overwhelmingly the Members of this Congress oppose this resolution, and we should vote it down.

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