Herb Kohl: “I will be voting to table S.J. Res. 20, which would authorize the President to use all necessary force against…”

“I will be voting to table S.J. Res. 20, which would authorize the President to use all necessary force against Yugoslavia. On March 23, I voted along with 58 of my colleagues to authorize the use of air strikes against Yugoslavia. I deplore the actions of Slobodan Milosevic, a dictator who has caused pain and suffering for all the peace-loving people of the region. The decision to launch airstrikes was made only after the Administration and NATO worked diligently to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kosovo. There was, and continues to be, an international consensus that Milosevic's actions demand our continued use of air power. I continue to hope that air strikes will pave the way for an end to hostilities in the region, a return of refugees to Kosovo, and an autonomy arrangement that can be supported by all. The possibility of a diplomatic resolution to this conflict is very much alive. Thus, the resolution before us today is premature. The President has not indicated that he intends to expand the use of force here, he has not indicated any immediate plans to use ground troops, nor has he asked us to fund such an expansion of the conflict in Kosovo. Thus, I must vote to table this resolution.”