Leahy, Jeffords Vote No As Senate Passes Iraq Resolution

The Champlain Channel ^ | 10/11/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has given final passage to a resolution authorizing President Bush to use military force against Iraq, but neither senator in Vermont voted for it.

Sens. Jim Jeffords and Patrick Leahy both voted no on the resolution, as did Rep. Bernie Sanders Thursday.

New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton and New Hampshire Sens. Judd Gregg and Bob Smith voted yes.

The resolution gives Bush the power to use American military force to enforce United Nations orders that Saddam dispose of his weapons of mass destruction. It encourages Bush to seek U.N. cooperation in such a campaign but does not require it.

"The House of Representatives has spoken clearly to the world and to the United Nations Security Council: The gathering threat of Iraq must be confronted fully and finally," Bush said after the House vote.

The president has stressed, however, that he has made no decision on launching a military strike against Iraq.

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., the most outspoken Senate foe of the resolution, accused Congress of "handing the president unchecked authority."

While Bush hailed the strong showing, a majority of House Democrats voted against the resolution -- even though their leader, Dick Gephardt of Missouri, was one of its authors.

"The issue is how to best protect America. And I believe this resolution does that," Gephardt said.

The Senate approved the same resolution after voting 75-25 to choke off delaying tactics. It voted down a series of efforts to weaken or block the resolution, as did the House.

House Passed Resolution Thursday

President Bush on Thursday hailed the House's approval of the resolution, saying the Middle Eastern nation's days as an "outlaw state are coming to an end."

Bush said the lopsided vote shows the United States is sending a clear, bipartisan message that Iraq must be "confronted fully and finally." The president called House leaders to congratulate them.

More than 120 House Democrats voted against the measure, even though their House leader had been one of its authors. The vote was 296-133.

But Bush said such debate is in the "best traditions" of Congress, calling the House debate "spirited," "civil" and "informed."

In arguing for the resolution, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay told his colleagues that the dangers of inaction "far outweigh" the risks of confronting evil.

Earlier, the House rejected several Democratic alternatives.

One required the president to return to Congress for a second vote on the use of force if he decided that working with the United Nations was futile.

Another would have committed the United States to the U.N. inspections process but didn't authorize unilateral force.

The vote in the House came after Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle became the last top congressional Democrat to announce he would vote for the resolution, calling the measure a "statement of American resolve."

"Because of the importance of the United States speaking with one voice ... I will vote to give the president authority he needs," Daschle said.

The South Dakota Democrat began his announcement by outlining the dangers posed by Saddam Hussein, saying the Iraqi president has spent years stockpiling weapons such as VX, sarin gas and anthrax.

"And we know Saddam Hussein is committed to one day possessing nuclear weapons," Daschle said.

Daschle said the original desire by the Bush administration to act unilaterally and without congressional authorization was "wrong."

"I now commend the administration for changing its approach and working with our allies," Daschle said, applauding the president for recognizing Congress' power to authorize the president to order military force.

Daschle said the resolution is changed from the one originally requested by the White House but still gives Bush power to combat the threat in Iraq.

Daschle outlined four major changes to the measure:

The resolution's authorization focuses only on Iraq -- not other nations, groups or individuals.

The president should, but is not required to, work through U.N. Security Council.

The president must certify to Congress that diplomacy with Baghdad has failed.

The president must report back to Congress every 60 days on "all matters relevant to this resolution."

Daschle said the resolution now reflects the "balance of power" between Congress and the administration.

The president is having less luck lobbying the United Nations Security Council.

There is no sign France and Russia, two of five permanent members of the council which, therefore, have veto power, are softening their resistance to the idea of military action.

Bush spent 25 minutes on the telephone Wednesday with French President Jacque Chirac, who only appeared open to giving broader powers to U.N. inspectors poised to enter Iraq sometime in the next month.

[Texbob]

These two traitors are two peas in the same pod.