2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Ending The Declared National Emergency
From February 25, 2011, Which Imposed Sanctions Due To The Conflict In
Libya. In July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted against a resolution that would "terminate the national emergency
declared by the president on Feb. 25, 2011, with respect to sanctions
due to the conflict in Libya." The vote was on passage. The House
rejected the resolution by a vote of 30 to 388. [House Vote 334,
7/18/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/18/23;
Congressional Actions, H.J. Res.
70]
Republicans And Democrats Warned That Terminating The Declared
Emergencies Would Unfreeze Assets Of Militia Leaders And War
Criminals While Also Rejecting Compensation To American Victims Of
Terrorism. According to Reuters, "The House overwhelmingly
rejected the resolutions in a series of votes, after mainstream
Republicans and Democrats warned that ending the emergencies would
unfreeze the assets of militia leaders, arms dealers and accused war
criminals, while denying compensation to U.S. victims of terrorism."
[Reuters,
7/18/23]
The Far-Right Republicans Who Sponsored The Resolutions Argued The
Emergency Declarations Were Old And Were Examples Of The "Deep
State." According to Reuters, "The hardliners said the emergency
declarations, dating back to the presidencies of Republican
George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama, were out-of-date and had
become examples of the 'deep state,' former President Donald
Trump's conspiratorial term for Washington officials who opposed
his will." [Reuters,
7/18/23]
The Resolutions Sought To Terminate 5 Presidential Emergency
Declarations That Have Permitted Sanctions Against U.S. Enemies In
The Middle East And Africa, Including Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya And
The Congo. According to Reuters, "The Republican-controlled U.S.
House of Representatives on Tuesday turned back a bid by hardline
conservatives to end five presidential emergency declarations that
allow for sanctions against America's enemies in the Middle East
and Africa. Four Republican Representatives - Lauren Boebert, Matt
Gaetz, Paul Gosar and Eli Crane - used separate measures known as
privileged resolutions to require votes on whether to end
longstanding emergency declarations involving Syria, Yemen, Iraq,
Libya and Democratic Republic of Congo." [Reuters,
7/18/23]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize $30 Million For FY 2022 To The
State Department To Provide Humanitarian Aid And Support Libya. In
September 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Libya Stabilization Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the U.S. Agency
for International Development to develop a strategy for continued
humanitarian aid in Libya and authorize $30 million in fiscal 2022 for
the State Department to support efforts to resolve and respond to the
current civil conflict, such as activities to promote democratic
governance, combat corruption and human rights violations, and support
independent media. It would require the State Department to submit
reports to Congress describing Russian activities and objectives and the
involvement of other foreign governments in Libya." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 386-35. [House Vote
300, 9/28/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
9/28/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1228]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Impose Sanctions Against Foreigners Who
Support Russian Military Intervention In Libya, Or Have Engaged In
Destabilization Efforts Or Human Rights Violations In Libya. In
September 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Libya Stabilization Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "state U.S. policy and
require a number of actions with regard to ongoing civil conflict in
Libya. Among other provisions, it would require the president to impose
sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against foreign
individuals who support Russian military intervention in Libya or are
engaged in destabilizing activities or gross human rights violations in
Libya." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
386-35. [House Vote 300,
9/28/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/28/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1228]