[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Page 1779]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against 
Iraq Resolution of 2002

October 16, 2002

    Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 114, a resolution ``To 
authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq.'' By 
passing H.J. Res. 114, the Congress has demonstrated that the United 
States speaks with one voice on the threat to international peace and 
security posed by Iraq. It has also clearly communicated to the 
international community, to the United Nations Security Council, and, 
above all, to Iraq's tyrannical regime a powerful and important message: 
the days of Iraq flouting the will of the world, brutalizing its own 
people, and terrorizing its neighbors must--and will--end. Iraq will 
either comply with all U.N. resolutions, rid itself of weapons of mass 
destruction, and in its support for terrorists, or it will be compelled 
to do so. I hope that Iraq will choose compliance and peace, and I 
believe passage of this resolution makes that choice more likely.
    The debate over this resolution in the Congress was in the finest 
traditions of American democracy. There is no social or political force 
greater than a free people united in a common and compelling objective. 
It is for that reason that I sought an additional resolution of support 
from the Congress to use force against Iraq, should force become 
necessary. While I appreciate receiving that support, my request for it 
did not, and my signing this resolution does not, constitute any change 
in the long-standing positions of the executive branch on either the 
President's constitutional authority to use force to deter, prevent, or 
respond to aggression or other threats to U.S. interests or on the 
constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution. On the important 
question of the threat posed by Iraq, however, the views and goals of 
the Congress, as expressed in H.J. Res. 114 and previous congressional 
resolutions and enactments, and those of the President are the same.
    Throughout the past months, I have had extensive consultations with 
the Congress, and I look forward to continuing close consultation in the 
months ahead. In addition, in accordance with section 4 of H.J. Res. 
114, I intend to submit written reports to the Congress on matters 
relevant to this resolution every 60 days. To the extent possible, I 
intend to consolidate information in these reports with the information 
concerning Iraq submitted to the Congress pursuant to previous, related 
resolutions.
    The United States is committed to a world in which the people of all 
nations can live in freedom, peace, and security. Enactment of H.J. Res. 
114 is an important step on the road toward such a world.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 October 16, 2002.

Note: H.J. Res. 114, approved October 16, was assigned Public Law No. 
107-243.