WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following statement on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives:

“Mr. Speaker, I intend to vote no on this resolution. We just voted on a resolution on whether or not to authorize in Libya and this House overwhelmingly voted no, no to authorizing that. I have been opposed to this action in Libya. I have not been persuaded the U.S. has a vital interest there. And by the way we were not attacked by Qaddafi. I spent two hours in a tent with Qaddafi in 2003; we were the first Congressional delegation in over 38 years to be there. In fact we were there because he was voluntarily giving up his nuclear arms. I will say there are probably few dictators who are going to do that again after watching what's happening over there. He is a bloody dictator. One of the things I learned, he hates al Qaeda. I also think this action vividly demonstrates the weakness of NATO, quite frankly. It’s a great organization. We appreciate their partnerships, of course. They are our allies, but it's an antiquated organization. We, the United States is paying 75% of the cost of NATO and NATO can’t even take out a two-bit dictator like Qaddafi. Why? Because we have enabled our allies, providing their defense for them for decades. And instead of spending money on their defense, as they said 2% of their G.D.P., they are spending their money on social programs; they are spending their money on lower corporate tax rates, etc.

“I would say yes, Qaddafi is a bloody dictator. He’s a terrorist. He did not attack us. And by the way, let us remember who let the Lockerbie bomber out way early as well. We need to get out of Libya, Mr. Speaker.”

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