Today Congressmembers Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted for H.Res. 292, legislation opposing the deployment of ground troops in Libya.

"Change in Libya must come from within; the Libyan people are going to have to try to define freedom in their own terms," said Higgins, a member of the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees. “We need to look at the overall strategy here and what it means in terms of national security as well as what is could cost us in human lives and limited financial resources.  The most conservative estimates from the Pentagon suggest our involvement in Libya costs about $40 million a month. Now is the time to focus on some nation-building right here at home, investing in the infrastructure here that supports economic and job growth in America.”

The resolution also directs the Administration to report to Congress, within two-weeks, details on U.S. security interests at stake in Libya, our military and political objectives, and projected costs.

On March 17 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution declaring a no-fly zone over Libya to protect the Libyan rebels from Muammar Gadhafi forces and authorizing member states “to take all necessary measures... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack."  Since then, U.S. troops, as a part of an international coalition, have been involved in enforcing the no-fly zone from sea and air.