[Lnc-business] Email Ballot 2017-19 : Yemen Resolution

Tue Oct 31 02:06:13 EDT 2017

Nick,

	The problem is that House Concurrent Resolution 81, which we are being asked to endorse, states (in part), "Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen, except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or associated forces" (boldface emphasis added).

	If HCR 81 simply stated, "Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from participation in the conflict between Saudi-lead forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance in Yemen", our unqualified support would be in order. 

	The bottom line language of the resolution we're being asked to approve reads as follows, "Therefore, be it resolved, the LNC supports H.Con.Res. 81 in accordance with section 3.3 of the Libertarian Party Platform, but advises complete removal of U.S. Armed Forces from the Republic of Yemen". There is some dissociation there, but only just barely. The term "advises" is excessively mild. I would suggest the following substitute language:

"In accordance with section 3.3 of the Libertarian Party Platform, the LNC supports House Concurrent Resolution 81 as being on balance a step in the right direction, but explicitly rejects HCR 81's tacit support for a continued U.S. government military presence opposing Al Qaeda in Yemen."

	Would you be willing to vote no on the current measure and reintroduce the resolution with the language suggested above?

Love & Liberty,

                                   ((( starchild )))
At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
                        RealReform at earthlink.net
                                 (415) 625-FREE   
                                  @StarchildSF

On Oct 20, 2017, at 6:33 AM, Jared Labell wrote:

> Abolutely, Starchild. Thank you!
>  
> HCR 81 can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/81/text
>  
> The exact text is pasted below:
>  
> H. CON. RES. 81
> 
> 
> Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.
> IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
> 
> September 27, 2017
> 
> Mr. Khanna (for himself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Pocan, and Mr. Jones) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
> CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
> 
> Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.
> Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
> SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS.
> (a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:
> (1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.
> (2) A state of war has not been declared to exist with respect to the conflict between forces led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against the Houthi-Saleh alliance in the Republic of Yemen.
> (3) United States Armed Forces have been involved in hostilities between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance, including through assisting Saudi and United Arab Emirates warplanes conducting aerial bombings in Yemen with selecting targets and by providing midair refueling services to such warplanes, amounting to millions of pounds of jet fuel delivered during thousands of Saudi and United Arab Emirates airstrikes.
> (4) According to the Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism 2016, the conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance is counterproductive to ongoing efforts by the United States to pursue Al Qaeda and its associated forces under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note).
> (5) No authorization for the use of United States Armed Forces with respect to the conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance in Yemen has been enacted, and no provision of law authorizes the provision of midair refueling services to warplanes of Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates that are engaged in such conflict.
> (6) The conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance in Yemen constitutes, within the meaning of section 4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)), either hostilities or a situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances into which United States Armed Forces have been introduced.
> (b) Removal Of Armed Forces.—Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen, except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or associated forces, by not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the adoption of this concurrent resolution (unless the President requests and the Congress authorizes a later date), and unless and until a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces has been enacted.
>  
>  
> Jared Labell
> Executive Director
> The Libertarian Institute
> libertarianinstitute.org
> abolitionist.
> 773-766-4947 cell
> 312-257-8525 office
> Peace and free markets.
> Against the State, its wars, and its taxes.

On Oct 30, 2017, at 6:48 PM, Nicholas Sarwark wrote:

> Dear All,
> 
> The United States military is helping Saudi Arabia fight a civil war
> in Yemen, committing war crimes at American taxpayer expense and with
> the assistance of the American military. Our platform and our party
> clearly oppose this. It is true that we oppose so much more military
> interventionism than that which is the subject of H.Con.Res. 81,
> including that arguably covered by the existing Authorization for the
> Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note), but
> H.Con.Res. 81 is what will come up for a vote in the Congress in just
> a few short days.
> 
> I vote yes.
> 
> -Nick
> 
> 
> On Sat, Oct 21, 2017 at 11:41 PM, Alicia Mattson <agmattson at gmail.com> wrote:
>> We have an electronic mail ballot.
>> 
>> Votes are due to the LNC-Business list by October 31, 2017 at 11:59:59pm
>> Pacific time.  Trick or Treat!!
>> 
>> Co-Sponsor:  Sarwark
>> 
>> Motion:  That the LNC adopt the following resolution:
>> 
>> --------------------Resolution Text--------------------
>> 
>> A Call to End the U.S. War in Yemen and Support House Concurrent Resolution
>> 81
>> 
>> Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers
>> Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized
>> hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.
>> 
>> Resolved by the Libertarian National Committee (LNC)
>> 
>> SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE
>> REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS.
>> 
>> (a) Findings ––The Libertarian National Committee agrees with Congress and
>> finds the following:
>> 
>> (1) Whereas, Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I,
>> section 8, of the Constitution.
>> 
>> (2) Whereas, a state of war has not been declared to exist with respect to
>> the conflict between forces led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
>> against the Houthi-Saleh alliance in the Republic of Yemen.
>> 
>> (3) Whereas, United States Armed Forces have been involved in hostilities
>> between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh alliance, including through
>> assisting Saudi and United Arab Emirates warplanes conducting aerial
>> bombings in Yemen with selecting targets and by providing midair refueling
>> services to such warplanes, amounting to millions of pounds of jet fuel
>> delivered during thousands of Saudi and United Arab Emirates airstrikes.
>> 
>> (4) Whereas, according to the Department of State’s Country Reports on
>> Terrorism 2016, the conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh
>> alliance is counterproductive to ongoing efforts by the United States to
>> pursue Al Qaeda and its associated forces under the Authorization for the
>> Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note).
>> 
>> (5) Whereas, no authorization for the use of United States Armed Forces with
>> respect to the conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh
>> alliance in Yemen has been enacted, and no provision of law authorizes the
>> provision of midair refueling services to warplanes of Saudi Arabia or the
>> United Arab Emirates that are engaged in such conflict.
>> 
>> (6) Whereas, the conflict between Saudi-led forces and the Houthi-Saleh
>> alliance in Yemen constitutes, within the meaning of section 4(a)(1) of the
>> War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)), either hostilities or a
>> situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by
>> the circumstances into which United States Armed Forces have been
>> introduced.
>> 
>> Therefore, be it resolved, the LNC supports H.Con.Res. 81 in accordance with
>> section 3.3 of the Libertarian Party Platform, but advises complete removal
>> of U.S. Armed Forces from the Republic of Yemen:
>> 
>> (b) Removal Of Armed Forces.—Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers
>> Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress hereby directs the President to
>> remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen,
>> except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at Al Qaeda
>> in the Arabian Peninsula or associated forces, by not later than the date
>> that is 30 days after the date of the adoption of this concurrent resolution
>> (unless the President requests and the Congress authorizes a later date),
>> and unless and until a declaration of war or specific authorization for such
>> use of United States Armed Forces has been enacted.
>> 
>> -----------------End of Resolution Text-----------------
>> 
>> -Alicia
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Lnc-business mailing list
>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
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