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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted October 2, 2002 Press releases © 2002 U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee)

Stupak posts draft Joint Resolution to authorize use of U.S. Armed Forces against Iraq for review on Web site

"The International Relations Committee will mark up the House resolution this week, and floor debate is tentatively scheduled to begin Monday. I expect the vote on the resolution to occur on Wednesday," Stupak said. "I invite every resident of my district to review the proposed resolution and convey their thoughts on this proposed resolution."

Stupak said this proposed Joint Resolution incorporates some of the Democratic concerns over the initial White House resolution by encouraging the diplomatic process, limiting the scope to only Iraq and requiring Congressional approval prior to or not more than 48 hours after U.S. troops engage in military action.

Also on Stupak's Web site is a statement of his own position on Iraq.

"I do not support the White House's initial resolution calling for the unconditional use of force against Iraq. I am particularly concerned about provisions that allow the United States to act unilaterally and expand military efforts, not just to Iraq, but throughout the Middle East," Stupak states. "I do, however, believe that the international community - including the United States - should not tolerate Saddam Hussein's continued proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

Stupak says he supports the removal of such weapons but believes war must be the last resort.

"I share the concerns of hundreds of my constituents who have written and called about the gravity of attacking Iraq. Not only do budget analysts predict a war with Iraq could cost our country $100 to $200 billion (diverting precious federal dollars away from health care, social security, and education), but the potentially devastating effects on an already faltering economy are enormous. I am further concerned about the duration of U.S. military presence in Iraq after Saddam falls," Stupak adds.

In a press release last week, Stupak said he and other House Democrats had met with President Bush on Sept. 26 to address their concerns over the content of the White House's proposed resolution authorizing the use of U.S. troops against Iraq as well as the tone of the current debate over such a resolution.

"President Bush assured us that the partisan rancor over the issue of military action against Iraq will end," Stupak said on Sept. 26. "House Democratic Leader Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) has had good dialogue with the President. The President told me today (Sept. 26) that he does not wish to divide the country and that if U.S. troops are deployed he wants the whole country together behind our service men and women."

Stupak said he believed the issues that should be debated are whether military action is appropriate, whether our allies are with us and when we can get U.N. weapons inspectors into Iraq -- not what party is more patriotic or less patriotic than the other.

"My office has received hundreds of phone calls and messages from constituents who are concerned about us attacking Iraq. Most of those callers are opposed to U.S. military action against Iraq," Stupak said on Sept. 26. "My constituents do not want us to go it alone but would like to see what the U.N. weapons inspectors find before committing American troops to military action against Iraq."

Stupak noted President Bush told him during the Sept. 26 visit that using U.S. troops would be the last resort.

Visit Rep. Stupak's Web site to read the Joint Resolution as well as Stupak's position on Iraq and other current issues.

Citizens may contact Stupak's Washington office at (202) 225-4735 or email him at stupak@mail.house.gov. His Congressional Aide Amy Wisti may be reached in Houghton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at (906) 482-1371.

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