October 8, 2002

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN STEPHEN F. LYNCH REGARDING
HIS SUPPORT FOR A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION ON IRAQ

I have been asked to decide whether the President of the United States shall be granted the authority to use military force to eliminate the threat posed by the regime in Iraq led by Saddam Hussein, in the event that diplomatic efforts fail.

This is a question that weighs heavily on me, and it is the gravest question that will confront this Congress.

After attending numerous briefings at the White House and with defense officials, as well as independent briefings with foreign policy experts and the former chief UN weapons inspector under the Clinton administration, I have come to the conclusion that the danger to the American people as a result of a failure to act is simply too great.

In reaching my decision to support the authorizing resolution, I have focused on the undisputed facts. Saddam Hussein has developed and deployed chemical and biological weapons. Despite Hussein’s denials, we know he has actively sought to develop a nuclear weapon since the early 1970s, an effort he accelerated during the Gulf War. He has murdered thousands of his own citizens with chemical weapons. By offering safe haven to terrorists and  compensation to the families of suicide bombers who kill innocent civilians, he has directly fostered terrorism. And Saddam Hussein has ordered terrorist attacks himself, such as his attempt to assassinate former President George Bush.

As one who shares the responsibility to protect American citizens at home and abroad, I cannot and will not stake tens of thousands of American lives or our long-term national security on the hope that Saddam Hussein will reverse 25 years of deceit and aggression. The consequences of a failure to disarm Saddam Hussein could be felt here, in our cities and towns. That is the nature of the threat we face. While I respect my colleagues who conclude otherwise, I firmly believe that if diplomatic efforts fail, the President must have the option of compelling Iraq, militarily, to disarm.