by the administration and your offices to further isolate Libya during a time of extraordinary tragedy in the streets, tragedy of which I think we're probably only partially aware. I – I want to continue to encourage and urge the administration to stand with those that are standing in that now bifurcated country to use all means at our disposal to provide support and certainly associate myself with Mr. Royce’s comments about isolating radio communications and – and would express appreciation for your efforts at Geneva and elsewhere to facilitate a coordinated -- a coordinated international response, including a no-fly zone. Gadhafi must go. And I'm – I’m grateful to hear the Secretary of State and the administration take that position unambiguously.” [Hearing on Assessing U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities and Needs Amidst Economic Challenges, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 3/1/11] Pence: “I Certainly Support The Decision To Enforce A No-Fly Zone [In Libya] With The Wanton Slaughter Of Civilians That Was Taking Place At The Hands Of Muammar Gaddafi.” “COTTO: Let’s get into this budget thing, but for starters, because obviously Libya is pretty significant in the news today, can I just get your initial thoughts on us getting involved over there? Do you think it’s a good idea? A bad idea? Too late? What are your thoughts? PENCE: Well, I certainly support the decision to enforce a no-fly zone with the wanton slaughter of civilians that was taking place at the hands of Muammar Gaddafi. I think the international community responded in a proper way. I’m disappointed that the President consulted with the UN and didn’t consult or seek resolution for the use of force from the Congress. It’s also disappointing for me to see us yield the lead role to the French in this matter. I mean, the French are essentially leading the world community in confronting Muammar Gaddafi.” [Radio Interview, WLS-AM, 3/21/11] Pence Said He Was “Disappointed” That France Was “Essentially Leading The World Community In Confronting Muammar Gaddafi” Instead Of The United States. “COTTO: Let’s get into this budget thing, but for starters, because obviously Libya is pretty significant in the news today, can I just get your initial thoughts on us getting involved over there? Do you think it’s a good idea? A bad idea? Too late? What are your thoughts? PENCE: Well, I certainly support the decision to enforce a no-fly zone with the wanton slaughter of civilians that was taking place at the hands of Muammar Gaddafi. I think the international community responded in a proper way. I’m disappointed that the President consulted with the UN and didn’t consult or seek resolution for the use of force from the Congress. It’s also disappointing for me to see us yield the lead role to the French in this matter. I mean, the French are essentially leading the world community in confronting Muammar Gaddafi.” [Radio Interview, WLS-AM, 3/21/11] Pence Said President Obama’s Use Of Force In Libya Represented “A Significant Deployment Of U.S. Military Power.” “COTTO: There is something about saying – I mean, it almost seems like the value is placed more on getting the approval of the international community as opposed to the people who actually represent his constituents here in the U.S. PENCE: Well, I mean, I don’t know how you could take it any other way. The President went off the lead of the French and waited on a UN Security Council resolution and then acted… The firing of one hundred or more cruise missiles, probably the majority of which were fired from the decks of U.S. naval vessels and from submarines, represents a significant deployment of U.S. military power, and I believe it would have been appropriate for the President to request authorization from Congress to do that.” [Radio Interview, WLS-AM, 3/21/11] March 2011: Pence Attended A Classified Briefing On The Situation In Libya With Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary Of Defense Robert Gates, Director Of National Intelligence Lt. General James Clapper, And Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. “U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, attended a classified briefing today on the situation in Libya with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; Lt. General James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neil Wolin. Tomorrow, Pence will participate in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Libya where Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg will testify.” [Press Release, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, 3/30/11] Pence: “I’m Troubled By How We Went To War In Libya.” “We’re at war in Libya. I know there’s careful parsing of words to describe our military action -- no-fly-plus and the rest -- but we’re at war in Libya. And while I’m troubled by how we went to war in Libya, I will never jeopardize support for our troops. But I don't believe the president of the United States has the authority to take America to war without congressional approval where our safety and vital national interests are not directly threatened. I also don’t believe in limited war. I believe if America chooses to go to war then by God, you go to war to win.” [Remarks, “Libya: Defining U.S. National Security Interests” Hearing, Committee on Foreign Affairs, 112th Congress, 3/31/11] Pence: “I Think It’s Important That We Say We Are At War In Libya.” “I think you heard in my opening statement I’m -- I think it’s important that we say we are at war in Libya, and while I'm troubled about various aspects of how we began this conflict I will never jeopardize support for our troops and I will always attempt to maintain the level of deference and respect that is due and owing to the commander in chief and to the executive in matters of war. But I want to say -- and this is something I question -- I don't believe the president has the unilateral authority to take America to war without congressional approval where our safety or vital national interests are not directly implicated.” [Remarks, “Libya: Defining U.S. National Security Interests” Hearing, Committee on Foreign Affairs, 112th Congress, 3/31/11]