Steven Holt: “to provide for the common defense of our Nation is a constitutional duty here in Congress, and we have no responsibility…”

“to provide for the common defense of our Nation is a constitutional duty here in Congress, and we have no responsibility more serious than to look after the security of the people of America, and to do it in a way that honors and protects the men and women who defend our security. We certainly recognize their courage, their sacrifice and their patriotism. I am concerned that the American-led war upon which we are about to launch, followed by an American military occupation, would make Americans here at home less secure, not more. With that in mind, I would like to refer to a resolution introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and cosponsored by a number of others of us. The joint resolution has a number of whereas clauses, including that whereas Saddam Hussein is a repressive dictator who has demonstrated through his own actions, including the invasion of Kuwait and the oppression of the Iraqi people, that it is necessary for the international community to ensure his conduct is in accordance with international law.”