Lugar Rips Obama over War Powers Authority
On June 28, Senator Lugar, the Republican Leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, prepared remarks for a committee hearing Tuesday on the legality of President Obama’s war in Libya. "Three months later, President Obama's assurances ring hollow." Mr. Koh also submitted to Senator Lugar several answers to questions for the record.
Senator Lugar delivered a statement that afternoon at the beginning of the committee “mark-up” on a resolution authorizing United States engagement in the Libyan civil war.
On June 23, Senator Lugar announced that he will offer five amendments restricting presidential powers when the committee considers next week S.J. Res. 20, which would belatedly authorize President Obama using U.S. forces in the Libyan civil war. Each of the five amendments are available below. Senator Lugar sent a letter to his Senate colleagues outlining his reason for introducing five amendments.
On June 6, Senator Lugar wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post outlining the Obama Administration's dangerous course on Libya. A must read.
On May 13, Senator Lugar issued a series of questions challenging the Obama Administration one week before the deadline expires for the required Congressional authorization for U.S. military action in the Libyan civil war.
On April 14, Senator Lugar once again stated his concern over an expanded NATO mission in the Libyan civil war.
"The evident confusion surrounding the NATO Ministerial today in Brussels serves as a stark reminder that we have not had the necessary debate here at home about the costs, objectives, and duration of our military intervention in Libya's civil war." Read the full statement.
On April 6, Senator Lugar delivered a statement at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Libya questioning President Obama's aims, cost and authorization regarding the war in Libya.
On March 29, Senator Lugar, the Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement regarding President Obama's speech on the war in Libya stating " the President still has not clearly stated what our goals are or what would constitute success. He has not stated whether the United States would accept a stalemate in the civil war, nor has he put forward a plan for ending Qadhafi's rule. As such, U.S. participation in the coalition may continue indefinitely, without a defined endgame."
On March 27, in an interview on Meet the Press on NBC, Senator Lugar once again spoke out against Obama's actions in Libya. Lugar requests a Congressional discussion on the war and an outline of objectives for Libya.
On March 24, Republican Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, commented on Senator Lugar's leadership on Libya calling him one of the "last Reagan-style conservatives on Capitol Hill.”
On March 23, Senator Lugar called on Senator John Kerry (D-MA) to immediately hold hearings on the military situation in Libya. A copy of the letter is also available.
On March 22, MSNBC's Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough spoke about Senator Lugar's recent statements on President Obama's military action.
On March 20, in an interview on Face the Nation on CBS, Senator Lugar said with situations erupting throughout the Middle East (including Yemen, Bahrain and now Syria) the United States must determine from the start what exactly the goal in this mission has become.
On March 14, Senator Lugar said the Arab League, a then-supporter of a no-fly zone in Libya, should pay for the operation. He also pushed for President Obama to request a formal delcaration of war from the United States Congress.
On March 8, Senator Lugar came out against the Obama administration saying the U.S. cannot afford a war in Libya.