[Congressional Record: September 14, 2001 (House)]
[Page H5638-H5681]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr14se01-82]                         

AUTHORIZING USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE 
              FOR RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES

Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, at this historic moment when Congress 
and the American people stand united behind the President, our 
Commander in Chief, as America prepares to reclaim its security and 
punish the murderers who struck our Nation this week, I ask unanimous 
consent that it shall be in order at any time without intervention of 
any point of order to consider in the House, House Joint Resolution 64, 
to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those 
responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States;
  The joint resolution shall be considered as read; the previous 
question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to 
final passage without intervening motion except, one, 5 hours of debate 
on the joint resolution, equally divided and controlled by the chairman 
and ranking minority member of the Committee on International 
Relations; and two, one motion to recommit; and, upon passage of the 
joint resolution, the House shall be considered to have passed Senate 
Joint Resolution 23.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, I 
call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 64) to authorize the use of 
United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent 
attacks launched against the United States, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The text of H.J. Res. 64 is as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 64

       Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous 
     violence were committed against the United States and its 
     citizens; and
       Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate 
     that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense 
     and to protect United States citizens both at home and 
     abroad; and
       Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security 
     and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave 
     acts of violence; and
       Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and 
     extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign 
     policy of the United States; and
       Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution 
     to take action to deter and prevent acts of international 
     terrorism against the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This joint resolution may be cited as the ``Authorization 
     for Use of Military Force''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

       (a) In General.--That the President is authorized to use 
     all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, 
     organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, 
     committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on 
     September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or 
     persons, in order to prevent any further acts of 
     international terrorism against the United States by such 
     nations, organizations or persons.
       (b) War Powers Resolution Requirements.--
       (1) Specific statutory authorization.--Consistent with 
     section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress 
     declares that this section is intended to constitute specific 
     statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of 
     the War Powers Resolution.
       (2) Applicability of other requirements.--Nothing in this 
     resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers 
     Resolution.

<snip record>

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my 
valued colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), a member 
of the Committee on International Relations.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our ranking member and my 
friend for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is 
filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed 
and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would 
not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and 
millions across the world.
  This unspeakable act on the United States has forced me, however, to 
rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction. 
September 11 changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I 
am convinced that

[[Page H5643]]

military action will not prevent further acts of international 
terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and 
complicated matter.

This resolution will pass, although we all know that the President 
can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, 
some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of 
mourning. Some of us must say, let us step back for a moment. Let us 
just pause for a minute and think through the implications of our 
actions today so that this does not spiral out of control.

I have agonized over this vote, but I came to grips with it today and 
I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful 
yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so 
eloquently said, ``As we act, let us not become the evil that we 
deplore.''

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