John Spratt: “the resolution that the White House has sent us is a decided improvement over the original draft, but it could be…”

“the resolution that the White House has sent us is a decided improvement over the original draft, but it could be better. If the amendment that I am offering is adopted, I believe that this resolution could draw even more votes and pass this House by a huge bipartisan majority. And in passing a war powers resolution, surely, surely, that should be one of our objectives. Our resolution supports the President's campaign in the Security Council for coercive inspections backed up by force. If the Iraqis defy the inspectors this time and the Security Council replies with military action, my amendment gives President Bush the power to use our Armed Forces just as his father did in the Persian Gulf War in 1991 in a military action sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council. If, on the other hand, the Iraqis defy the inspectors and the Security Council fails to respond with force, then we will be faced with going it alone. In these dramatically different circumstances, my amendment called for a second vote by Congress to approve a military attack, but it ensures that the President will have a fast track for its consideration. Those of us supporting this amendment, and we have a broad cross-section of our caucus behind it, see Saddam Hussein as a menace. We agree with the President in demanding that the Security Council enforce its resolution and allow no quarter.”