John Kerry: “I think I asked for such time as I would use, but I will try to tighten it up. The administration informed Congress last…”

“I think I asked for such time as I would use, but I will try to tighten it up. The administration informed Congress last week it does not consider the use of U.S. forces to rise to the level of ``hostilities.'' I have already discussed that. I think there is an important constitutional question here, but it is not a new question. The truth is that Presidents--Democratic and Republican--have undertaken limited military action. I mentioned each of those instances. I think this debate is healthy, but the words we use about it have consequences. They send a message. And I think none of us should send any message to Colonel Qadhafi lightly. The last message any U.S. Senator wants to send, in my judgment, is that all he has to do is wait us out, all he has to do is wait for the Congress--even as the progress is being made and the vice is tightening--because we are divided at home. I believe passage of this resolution would be an important step in showing the country and the rest of the world and particularly showing Muammar Qadhafi that the Congress of the United States and the President of the United States are committed to this critical endeavor. I firmly believe the country is on the strongest footing when the President and the Congress speak with one voice on foreign policy matters. So I hope our colleagues will support this resolution. For 60 years, we have been working to build a cohesive and consistent alliance with our partners in NATO.…”