Blumenauer Votes Against Iraq Resolution in House Committee

WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a member of the House International Relations Committee, voted against the Bush Administration and House leadership's resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq. The resolution, which was debated and passed in the House International Relations Committee this afternoon, will be considered on the House floor as early as Tuesday of next week. If both the U.S. House and the Senate adopt this resolution, it would effectively authorize President Bush to use military force against Iraq at any time.

Blumenauer argued in favor of amendments to require the Administration to pursue inspections and other actions under the auspices of the United Nations rather than use unilateral, pre-emptive military force against Iraq. He called pre-emptive U.S. use of force "dangerous" and "a terrible precedent."

The House International Relations Committee, tightly controlled by its leaders from both parties, rejected every proposed amendment to the resolution.

Blumenauer strongly urged that the Bush Administration continue its current efforts at the United Nations. The Administration is seeking a more aggressive process of inspection for weapons of mass destruction within Iraq. Blumenauer supports this approach as an alternative to war.