[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            VOTE EXPLANATION

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I regret that a family emergency in Utah 
kept me from the Senate yesterday. Had I been present, I would have 
voted in favor of the motion to proceed on S.J. Res. 45, the resolution 
authorizing the use of force in Iraq.
  The President and his administration have been actively consulting 
with the Congress on the language of this resolution over the past days 
and weeks. Our committees have heard many testimonies from the 
administration and other experts. And, for many years now, we have been 
apprised of the threat of Saddam Hussein and his outlaw regime. It is 
time for the Congress to come together, to hold a public debate, and to 
vote on a critical request made by this Administration.
  This administration has worked closely, and will continue to work 
closely, with our allies and the United Nations. The challenge posed to 
the U.N. by President Bush in his historic speech before the General 
Assembly last month demonstrated the dedication that the U.S. wishes to 
keep the U.N. relevant, while plainly stating that our national 
interest cannot and will not be subjugated to Saddam's willful 
deceptions and manipulations before that body.
  The world is looking to the United States to see our resolve. It is 
time for the world to see the American Congress debate whether we will 
support our Administration. I believe that we will show the world that 
this Congress, and the American people, overwhelmingly supports our 
President.
  It is not preordained the resolve we will show the world will lead to 
war. I believe that the resolve we show will demonstrate the U.S. will 
unite to confront the dangers that lie ahead.

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