Voices From the Senate

Excerpts from the Senate debate.

The measure passed, 77 to 23.

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‘This resolution gives the president the authority he needs to confront the threat posed by Iraq. It is a fundamentally different and better resolution than the one the president sent us. It is neither a Democratic resolution nor a Republican resolution. It is now a statement of American resolve and values.... Because this resolution is improved, because I believe that Saddam Hussein represents a real threat, and because I believe it is important for America to speak with one voice at this critical moment--I will vote to give the president the authority he needs.’

Tom Daschle (D-S. D.), ‘Yes’ vote

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‘I have looked back through history. I have never seen a situation where the president of the United States asked for the ability to go to war alone and yet hasn’t told the American people what that would mean. How many troops would be involved? How many casualties might there be? Would the U.S. have to foot the entire cost of using force against Iraq?... What will the cost be to rebuild Iraq?... I cannot vote for a blank check for unilateral action. I cannot vote for a go-it-alone approach before any of these fundamental questions have been answered.’

Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), ‘No’ vote

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California

This is the vote of the California congressional delegation Thursday on the resolution to authorize President Bush to use military force against Iraq. A “yes” vote is a vote to approve the resolution.

In the House

Democrats voting yes--Berman, Dooley, Harman, Lantos, Schiff, Sherman, Tauscher, Waxman.

Democrats voting no--Baca, Becerra, Capps, Condit, Davis, Eshoo, Farr, Filner, Honda, Lee, Lofgren, Matsui, Millender-McDonald, George Miller, Napolitano, Pelosi, Roybal-Allard, Sanchez, Solis, Stark, Thompson, Waters, Watson, Woolsey.

Republicans voting yes-- Bono, Calvert, Cox, Cunningham, Doolittle, Dreier, Gallegly, Herger, Horn, Hunter, Issa, Lewis, McKeon, Gary G. Miller, Ose, Pombo, Radanovich, Rohrabacher, Royce, Thomas.

Republicans voting no--None.

In the Senate--Feinstein, yes; Boxer, no.

Source: Associated Press