Cicilline Reaction to President's Speech on Libya

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) released the following statement in response to the President’s speech this week regarding U.S. involvement in Libya:

“I am pleased that the President stressed tonight that the international community will be leading the effort to stabilize Libya in the coming days, beginning with a full transition to NATO-led forces this Wednesday.

“However, questions remain as to the length of our engagement and clear benchmarks to determine our success in this effort.

“The unprovoked violence against innocent civilians by Colonel Gadhafi is horrific and intolerable.

"But at the same time, we have pressing issues to confront here at home – including protecting funding for critical job training programs, educational initiatives and lifesaving health care services – that we must continue to focus on as we get our economy back on track. 

“I look forward to more clarity on these critical questions when Secretaries Gates and Clinton address Congress this week and we hear from other State Department officials during Thursday's House Foreign Affairs Committee, on which I sit.”