20 March 2003
Opponents and Supporters of Iraq War Submit Resolutions to House
(Kucinich resolution declares authorization to use force in Iraq "null and void") (830) By Steve La Rocque Washington File Staff Writer Washington - On the day U.S. Armed Forces commenced military action against the Baghdad regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, lawmakers opposed to the war were introducing resolutions to overturn the authorization Congress gave President Bush to use force against Iraq, and to say that only Congress had the "sole and exclusive power to declare war." Also on March 19, a supporter of the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, and a lawmaker who had opposed authorizing the use of force, submitted a resolution "expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the members of the Armed Forces of the United States called upon to engage in possible military action in Iraq." Representative Dennis Kucinich (Democrat of Ohio), a candidate for the Presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 101 (H. Con. Res. 101), which would express the sense of the Congress that Public Law 107-243, which authorized President Bush to use military force against the Baghdad regime of Saddam Hussein "is null and void." The proposed resolution was referred to the House International Relations Committee for action. Kucinich, a Democratic Presidential hopeful, has based much of his campaign on opposition to the Bush administration's policy on Iraq. H. Con. Res. 101 did not have any co-sponsors. On the same day, Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (Democrat of Texas) submitted House Concurrent Resolution 102 (H. Con. Res. 102), which says only Congress has "the sole and exclusive power to declare war." H. Con. Res. 102 was also referred to the House International Relations Committee for action. Jackson-Lee, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, was joined by fellow Black Caucus member Representative John Conyers (Democrat of Michigan) as a co-sponsor of the proposed resolution. Jackson-Lee had called for diplomacy and not force to resolve the crisis with Iraq, and in her remarks to the House March 19, with Conyers, called upon President Bush to address the Congress on the Iraq issue, and complained that there had not been sufficient debate on Iraq. Meanwhile a Republican legislator teamed up with a Democratic colleague to introduce House Resolution 150 (H. Res. 150), which would express the support of the House of Representatives for American troops called upon to fight in Iraq. Representative James Ryun (Republican of Kansas) introduced H. Res. 150, while Representative Xavier Becerra (Democrat of California) co-sponsored the proposed resolution. The California Democrat is the first Hispanic member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and is a former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Ryun serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Budget Committee, and the House Financial Services Committee. He is a three time Olympian, having participated in the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Olympic games, winning a silver medal in the 1500-meter run in 1968. H. Res. 150, which was referred to the House Armed Services Committee for action, says: "Whereas 250,000 members of the Armed Forces of the United States are currently deployed in and near the Persian Gulf region; "Whereas these American military personnel have been separated from their families in support of a possible conflict in Iraq; "Whereas war against Iraq appears imminent; and "Whereas although the American people have differences in opinion over the policy of engagement in Iraq, the American people strongly support the Nation's military personnel, both active and reserve, who have been called into possible action: "Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives expresses its strong support for the members of the Armed Forces of the United States called upon to engage in possible action in Iraq." According to a news release on Congressman Becerra's website, the two lawmakers hold opposing views on war with Iraq, yet introduced the bi-partisan resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the men and woman of the Armed Forces of the United States engaged in military action in Iraq. "While debate among Members of Congress and Americans continues on the best approach towards disarming Iraq, the resolution proclaims that Congress' support for our military personnel remains unwavering," the news release said. "Our votes differed last October on the resolution to allow military force in Iraq and I continue to believe that diplomacy, not war, still remains the wisest option," said Becerra. "Nevertheless, we stand together behind our brave and honorable service members, most of whom are oceans apart from their loved ones," he said. "This resolution appropriately salutes our troops who should know that our prayers and our thoughts are with them," Becerra said. "In the face of increasing threats to our nation and our freedom, our military is once again answering our nation's call," said Representative Ryun, "We want to demonstrate our thankfulness to these dedicated citizen soldiers." (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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