Byron Dorgan: “I have decided that I will cast a vote tonight to authorize the President to use force if necessary to find and destroy…”

“I have decided that I will cast a vote tonight to authorize the President to use force if necessary to find and destroy any weapons of mass destruction under the control of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Some of my colleagues have expressed the ease with which they will vote to authorize the use of force. For me it has been very difficult. When we cast a vote that could send our sons and daughters to war, it is deadly serious business. It requires us to ask tough questions and demand good answers. And while I will vote to authorize the President to use force if necessary, I do so with reservation because I believe very strongly that force should be an option that is used only as a last resort, after all other diplomatic and peaceful means have been exhausted. And, if force is necessary, it ought to be carried out with a coalition of countries in whose interest it is to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. I want to stress that I would never have voted for the resolution in the form that the White House originally asked Congress to approve.”