Conyers Applauds Overwhelming House Vote Opposing Deployment of Ground Troops in Libya

Conyers Applauds Overwhelming House Vote Opposing Deployment of Ground Troops in Libya

                                                               

(Washington)— Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement today following the adoption of his amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the U.S. House of Representatives.  The amendment prevents funds authorized in the NDAA from being used to deploy, establish, or maintain a presence of Members of the Armed Services or private security contractors on Libyan territory.  The Amendment was adopted by a vote of 416-5.   

  

With today’s overwhelming bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives has clearly stated that the current stalemate in Libya will not escalate into an unaffordable occupation that would harm our country’s national security.  Today’s vote also shows that Congress is reasserting its rightful authority under the Constitution to determine matters of war and peace and place boundaries on the use of our military forces overseas.       

I encourage my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to heed today’s vote and join our efforts to ensure that the conflict in Libya does not become another Afghanistan or Iraq.  The American people have grown weary of open-ended military adventures that place our troops in harm's way and add billions to our national debt.  Today, we have signaled that we hear them and that we will act on their behalf.   

#05-26-2011#