Pete Sessions: “Mr. Speaker, today the House begins debate on House Joint Resolution 114 to authorize use of the force of the United…”

“Mr. Speaker, today the House begins debate on House Joint Resolution 114 to authorize use of the force of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq. This is a serious debate that needs to take place. Mr. Speaker, I want Members to know that I support this resolution, and I support the President of the United States in what he is doing. But today we are here to debate the rule and to talk about what we are going to do as we debate the topic. I support this rule, I support what we are doing. Mr. Speaker, if we dig deep within this resolution, we will see two important things. Number one, August 14, 1998, Public Law 105-235, Congress concluded that Iraq's continuing weapons of mass destruction program threatened the United States and its allies; and, point number two, inspectors were withdrawn from Iraq on October 31, 1998, almost 4 years ago. The Iraqis have indicated through their administration, through the constant threat against the United States, that they intend to harm the United States and its interests around the globe. This is the same regime that attempted to assassinate former President Bush in 1993. Mr. Speaker, what we are engaged in now is the support of the United States against enemies around the globe. Our foreign policy had to change on September 11 when we were attacked.”