Mark Udall: “I am voting for this resolution with a heavy heart, but without hesitation. Like the hearts of all Americans, my heart…”

“I am voting for this resolution with a heavy heart, but without hesitation. Like the hearts of all Americans, my heart is heavy with grief for all those killed and injured in this week's despicable attacks. It is weighted with sympathy for all their families and friends, and with concern for what may lie ahead for our country and for other people around the world. But, however heavy our hearts, we in the Congress and throughout America know we must not lose heart. We know we must not hesitate to fulfill our responsibilities to our fellow citizens and to our country. We know that if we do, we will be giving way to terror and giving victory to those who seek to terrorize America. And all Americans--Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all others, too-- know that we cannot let these criminal deeds go unanswered. This resolution is a key part of the answer. It says the President can use force in a 'necessary and appropriate' response directed at those who 'planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,' as well as those who harbored the perpetrators, so they will not commit new offenses. It is broad, but it is not unlimited. It covers the culpable but it is not aimed at anyone else. In other words, in voting for this resolution, I am voting not for vengeance but for justice.”