[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I was prepared today to vote for this 
resolution but a late language change has made that impossible.
  The phrase ``and take action'' was added to paragraph three which now 
reads: ``calls on all members of the United Nations Security Council . 
. . to expeditiously consider and take action . . . to respond to and 
deal with situations bearing on the maintenance of international peace 
and security'' (emphasis added). Because of that change, I cannot 
support this resolution. However, since I do believe that Iran poses a 
serious threat to the world and demands the attention of the world, I 
could not vote against the proposal. Therefore, I voted ``present.''
  I strongly agree that Iran poses a real security threat to the world 
and I encourage continued vigilance. However, I have real concerns that 
the wording of this resolution might be interpreted by the Bush 
administration as all that is necessary to take military action. 
Although the day may come when I do support such action, today is not 
that day. I do not trust the Bush administration to come back to 
Congress if they wish to pursue military action. My lack of trust is, 
unfortunately, based on past actions. I voted to support military 
action against Afghanistan but the President is insisting today that 
Congress in so voting also granted him the legal authority to intercept 
telephone calls and other forms of communication without a warrant. I 
completely reject that assertion and I am concerned with future 
interpretations of H. Con. Res. 341. I regret that I cannot trust the 
President of the United States to use military force prudently and when 
all nonviolent means have been exhausted. I regret that I cannot 
support this resolution.

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