Cornyn to propose resolution calling for Libya regime change

A Republican senator will introduce a nonbinding resolution calling for regime change in Libya to be the official policy of the U.S. government.

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) is set Tuesday to become the first senator to introduce a nonbinding resolution on the Libya intervention, a move that could come as early as today, according to spokesman Kevin McLaughlin. 

{mosads}The sense of the Senate resolution, first obtained by The
Cable, says that “the policy of the United States should be to remove Moammar Gadhafi from power and to use military force, if necessary, to achieve that goal.” 

That mission would run counter to the aims of the U.S.’s military intervention as stated by President Obama in his speech to the nation last week.

“Of course, there is no question that Libya — and the world — will be better off with Gadhafi out of power,” Obama said. “But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake. … To be blunt, we went down that road in Iraq.” 

Cornyn’s resolution also calls on Obama to “submit to Congress a detailed description of United States policy objectives in Libya, both during and after Qaddafi’s rule, and a plan to achieve them” and requests that he seek congressional authorization for the use of military force.

The War Powers Act allows the president to carry out military operations abroad for 60 days before seeking congressional authorization. U.S. strikes on Libya began March 19. 

The Texas senator is one of several Republicans who want to expand the goals of the intervention in Libya, which is being carried out by an international coalition headed by NATO. Other Republican lawmakers, such as Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Dick Lugar (Ind.), have questioned the U.S.’s involvement.

The Obama administration has already deflected criticisms from Congress, explaining that he consulted congressional leaders before beginning the mission and that he wrote a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) explaining the U.S.’s aims there shortly after. 

Though they want to see Gadhafi gone, administration officials have ruled out going after him directly through military action, saying that it is not within the scope of the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force in Libya.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators comprising Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), ranking member John McCain (R-Ariz.), Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is meeting to draft a separate resolution, according to Politico.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) last week urged the Senate majority and
minority leaders to offer a bipartisan resolution authorizing Obama to
take action to directly remove Gadhafi from power; Reid’s spokesman said
that would be a “rash mistake” and called Rubio “oblivious.”

—Daniel Strauss contributed.