LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez defended the United States’ role in Libya today to a group of college students and other guests at Rider University. Two Rider students challenged the Democrat on how long the U.S. would continue air strikes on loyalists to Muammar Gadaffi, and whether President Obama had overstepped his constitutional authority. Menendez, who has...
Sen. Robert Menendez speaks at a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in this 2010 file photo.LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez defended the United States’ role in Libya today to a group of college students and other guests at Rider University.
Two Rider students challenged the Democrat on how long the U.S. would continue air strikes on loyalists to Muammar Gadaffi, and whether President Obama had overstepped his constitutional authority.
Menendez, who has gone after the Libyan regime over the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, said he supports a limited engagement of forces loyal to Gadaffi.
“This is about using primarily missile and air power for a period of time to stop the slaughter of innocents and give them the opportunity to preserve their freedom,” said Menendez, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I don’t support boots on the ground. I won’t be supportive of that at all.”
In a speech and question and answer session that lasted about an hour, Menendez defended the Obama Administration’s handling of the economy and criticized Republican budget proposals that would cut Pell Grants.
“As we are debating the budget, you show me the budget, and I’ll tell you what your values are,” he said.
Menendez’s speech was mostly on federal issues. He made only one mention of Gov. Chris Christie.
“The governor’s budget has a whole host of money from the federal government that he includes in the budget, including from the law that he criticizes virtually every day,” he said. “He calls it Obamacare, and yet tens of millions of dollars he is using in his budget to ultimately meet some challenges in the state.”
Menendez, who is up for reelection next year, has been increasing his public appearances in New Jersey. The speech was the last of four events he held across the state today.
Star-Ledger Statehouse reporters on Twitter
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Air National Guard heads to Europe to support Libya campaign
• World intervenes in Libya, with unusual speed
• U.S. fires more than 100 cruise missiles against Libyan forces
• Fear of oil shortage due to protests in Libya drives up gas prices in N.J.
• Report: Ex-minister says Libyan leader Gadhafi ordered Lockerbie bombing
• N.J. Sens. Lautenberg, Menendez question BP's role in Lockerbie bomber's release
• N.J. judge orders partial stop in construction of Libyan mansion in Englewood