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WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted in support of the resolution (H.J. Res. 64) that authorizes the President to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or those who harbored such organizations or persons. This resolution passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 420-1. The U.S. Senate had passed this measure earlier in the day.

"We must ensure that our Commander in Chief can bring the full power of the United States Armed Forces to bear against the terrorists who struck our nation so cruelly the morning of September 11th," Ryan said. "We act not out of wrath, but with the solemn realization that evil must not go unchecked, that our security must be defended, and that our liberty must be upheld.  We stand together tonight united in our resolve to fight the scourge of terrorism and protect our beloved country and its people.  We understand that it will not be easy and that it will require sustained action, commitment, and vigilance."

"We must steel ourselves for the months ahead and bear in mind the words inscribed on the base of the Marine War Memorial Iwo Jima: 'Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue.'  They remind us of the character and courage of those who serve in our Armed Forces, and I think they also apply to all who put their own lives on the line in an effort to save lives during and after Tuesday's terrible attacks.  Now is the time for valor for all Americans," Ryan said.

The text of H.J. Res. 64 follows this advisory.

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.

Whereas the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States.

Resolved by the Senate and the 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 of Use of Military Force"

SECTION 2.  AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

(a) 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 future 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.

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