Congress Ready To Back Down U.S. Involvement In Libya

With the recent gains made by Libyan rebels, lawmakers in the region say the international mission has been justified, but it’s now time to draw down U.S. military involvement in the country.

President Obama received a lot of heat from lawmakers in both parties for his decision to send U.S. planes, bombs and dollars into Libya without congressional approval.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) says the recent developments in Tripoli bode well for the president.

"I think the process that's unfolding is one that’s welcome, and I think vindicates President Obama's foreign policy," Connolly says.

With Congress looking to cut trillions of dollars in federal spending, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) says it's now time to start unwinding NATO’s military mission in the region.

"Clearly the air campaign is no longer needed, as the people of Libya are no longer threatened by the Gaddafi military," says Cardin. "So I think it is time to look at a transition."

Lawmakers in the region are also calling for the U.S. to unfreeze Libyan assets as soon as the transitional government is secure.