Schrader and Wu Weigh in on Libya Involvement

U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader and David Wu (both D-Ore.) say they're both OK with President Obama's decision to have U.S. forces be part of an international offensive against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

But both Democratic lawmakers stress that their support for the decision by a Democratic president has a short time line.

"I support [Obama's] effort to support the democratic movement in Libya with the no-fly zone,"  Schrader said in a phone interview this week. "I do not support it lasting any longer than a few weeks."

"We should support democracy where and when we can. This no-fly zone is about as far as we go," added Schrader (in the photo). "What Americans need to realize is that it costs taxpayers money. We don't want the no-fly zone to last for four to five years. America's commitment should only be restricted to support NATO efforts in a limited way. It should not be an American led assault in any shape or form."

"I do not want to see our military engaged for more than two or three weeks," Wu wrote in an e-mail statement to WW."We can't afford it."

Neither went as far as fellow Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) who last week criticized Obama for failing to seek congressional approval under the War Powers Act.

"Full compliance with the War Powers Act is required if U.S. military engagement in Libya is to last longer than 60 days." Wu said. "No president has come to Congress with a declaration of war since December 8, 1941. If Congress' sole constitutional authority to declare war was more strictly enforced, our nation would be involved in fewer military conflicts."

The fourth Democratic member of Oregon's House delegation, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, has said he supports Obama but added that he hopes U.S. forces will participate "no longer than absolutely necessary" because "having a protracted land war in Libya isn't in anybody's interests."




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