Benjamin Gilman: “I have today introduced H. Con. Res. 42, the ``Peacekeeping Operations in Kosovo Resolution''. The purpose of this…”

“I have today introduced H. Con. Res. 42, the ``Peacekeeping Operations in Kosovo Resolution''. The purpose of this resolution is to afford an opportunity for the House of Representatives to participate in the decision whether to deploy U.S. Armed Forces to Kosovo to implement the peace agreement now being negotiated at Rambouillet, France. The Congress has a constitutional responsibility with respect to deployments of U.S. Armed Forces into potentially hostile situations, and the Speaker and I believe that debating and voting on this resolution is an appropriate way for the Congress to begin to carry out this responsibility. Some Members of Congress have serious reservations about deploying U.S. Armed Forces to Kosovo as peacekeepers. Others strongly support the President's policy. In an effort to give the benefit of the doubt to our President, the test of this resolution does not criticize or oppose the proposed deployment to Kosovo. To the contrary, it states that ``[t]he President is authorized to deploy United States Armed Forces personnel to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping operation implementing a Kosovo peace agreement.''”