Why I Opposed the Resolution to Authorize Force

WHY I OPPOSED THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE FORCE Barbara lee September 14, 2001 Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and loved ones who were killed and injured in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Only the most foolish or the most callous would notunderstand the griefthat has gripped the American people and millions across the world. This unspeakable attack on the United States has forced me to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction. September n changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts ofinternational terrorism against the United States. I know that this use-of-force resolution will pass although we all know that the President can wage a war even without this resolution. However difficult this vote may be, some ofus must urge the use ofrestraint. There must be some of us who say, let's step back for a moment and think through the implications ofour actions today—let us more fully understand its consequences. We are not dealing with a conventional war. We cannot respond in a conventional manner. I do notwant to see this spiral out ofcontrol. This crisis involves issues of national security, foreign policy, public safety, intelligence gathering, economics, and murder. Our response must be equally multi-faceted. We must not rush to judgment. Far too many innocent people have already died. Our country is in mourning. Ifwe rush to launch a counterattack , we run too great a risk thatwomen, children, and other non-combatants will be caught in the crossfire. Nor can we let ourjustified anger over these outrageous acts by vicious murderers inflame prejudice against all Arab Americans, Muslims, Southeast Asians, or any other people because oftheir race, religion, or ethnicity. [Meridians:feminism, race, transnationalism 2002, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 278-80)©2002 by Wesleyan University Press. All rights reserved. 278 Finally, we must be careful not to embark on an open-ended war with neither an exit strategy nor a focused target. We cannot repeat past mistakes. In 1964, Congress gave President Lyndon Johnson the power to "take all necessary measures" to repel attacks and prevent further aggression. In so doing, this House abandoned its own constitutional responsibilities and launched our country into years ofundeclared war in Vietnam. At that time, Senator Wayne Morse, one oftwo lonely votes against the Tonkin GulfResolution, declared, "I believe that history will record that we have made a grave mistake in subverting and circumventing the Constitution ofthe United States.... I believe thatwithin the next century, future generations will look with dismay and great disappointment upon a Congress which is now about to make such a historic mistake." SenatorMorse was correct, and I fearwe make the same mistake today. And I fear the consequences. I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it in the very painful yet beautiful memorial service todayat the National Cathedral. As a member ofthe clergy so eloquently said, "As we act, let us not become the evil thatwe deplore." FOLLOW UP ARTICLE WHICH APPEARED IN THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, SUNDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2001 on sept. 11, terrorists attacked the United States in an unprecedented and brutal manner, killing thousands ofinnocent people, including the passengers and crews of four aircraft. Like everyone throughout our country, I am repulsed and angered by these attacks and believe all appropriate steps must be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. We mustpreventany future such attacks. That is the highestobligation ofour federal, state, and local governments. On this, we are united as a nation. Any nation, group or individual that fails to comprehend this or believes thatwe will tolerate such illegal and uncivilized attacks is grossly mistaken. Lastweek, filled with griefand sorrow for those killed and injured and with anger at those who had done this, I confronted the solemn responsibility ofvoting to authorize the nation to go to war. Some believe this resolution was only symbolic, designed to show national resolve. But I could not ignore that it provided explicitauthority, under the War Powers Resolution and the Constitution, to go...