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Christopher's
Votes - October, 2002
Arts, Immigration, Social Services and
other Domestic Issues
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(424) S434: Indian Compensation and Mormon Grant - Passage
October 01, 2002 - Hansen, R-Utah, motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would compensate Indian tribes for
land flooded along the Missouri River because of dam construction
in 1944 and, as amended, require the government to sell 940
acres of federal land in Wyoming to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. It would establish a trust fund to reimburse
the
Yankton Sioux tribe for 3,529 acres of flooded land and another
fund to reimburse the Santee Sioux for 1,000 acres. Motion
agreed to 357-37.
VOTE: Yea
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(426) HRES538: Johnny Unitas Tribute - Adoption
October 01, 2002 - Sullivan, R-Okla., motion to suspend the
rules and adopt the resolution that would pay tribute to the
late football player Johnny Unitas. Motion agreed to 389-0.
VOTE: Yea
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(428) HCONRES476: Firefighter Tribute - Adoption
October 02, 2002 - Smith, R-Mich., motion to suspend the
rules and adopt the concurrent resolution that would support
the idea of a day of tribute to firefighters killed in the
line of duty.
Motion agreed to 407-0.
VOTE: Yea
Budget, Taxes, and the Economy
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(430) HRES543: House Support for Married Couples Tax Relief
- Adoption
October 02, 2002 - Adoption of the resolution that would express
the sense of the House that Congress should, before it adjourns,
clear for the president's signature legislation (HR 4019)
that would permanently extend breaks for married couples contained
in last year's $1.35 trillion tax cut law.
Adopted 285-130.
VOTE: Yea
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(436) HR5320: Question of Privilege - Ruling of the Chair
October 02, 2002 - LaHood, R-Ill., motion to table (kill)
the Obey, D-Wis., appeal of the ruling of the chair that the
Obey resolution does not constitute a point of privilege under
Rule IX of the House. The Obey resolution would express the
sense of the House that Congress should complete the Labor,
Health, and Human Services fiscal 2003 spending bill (HR 5320)
before adjournment and fund last year's education overhaul
legislation (PL 107-110) at promised levels because failure
to do so would discredit the institution. Motion agreed to
212-202.
VOTE: Yea
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(439) HJRES112: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations
- Passage
October 03, 2002 - Passage of the joint resolution to provide
continuing appropriations through Oct. 11 for all federal
departments and programs. The continuing resolution would
set spending at fiscal 2002 levels and include that year's
supplemental appropriations. Passed 404-7.
VOTE: Yea
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(459) HJRES122, HRES580: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations
- Rule
October 10, 2002 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 580)
to provide for House floor consideration of the joint resolution
to provide continuing appropriations through Oct. 18 for all
federal departments and programs. Adopted 225-193.
VOTE: Yea
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(460) HJRES122: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations -
Recommit
October 10, 2002 - Obey, D-Wis., motion to recommit the bill
to the House Appropriations Committee with instructions that
it be reported back with language that would provide for continuing
appropriations through Oct. 12. Motion rejected 202-214.
VOTE: Nay
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(461) HJRES122: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations -
Passage
October 10, 2002 - Passage of the joint resolution to provide
continuing appropriations through Oct. 18 for all federal
departments and programs. The continuing resolution would
set spending at fiscal 2002 levels and include that year's
supplemental appropriations. It would continue federal highway
spending at $31.8 billion, the fiscal 2002 level, but cap
total funds allowed for the program through continuing resolutions
at $27.7 billion, as set in the House-passed budget resolution.
The resolution also would provide that $3.8 billion in loans
would be available to Poland in fiscal 2003, ban the use of
funds for government printing by any entity other than the
Government Printing Office, and specify that entitlements
and mandatory spending would be kept at a level necessary
to maintain program levels under current law. Passed 272-144.
VOTE: Yea
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(468) HJRES123: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations
- Rule
October 16, 2002 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 585)
to provide for House floor consideration of the joint resolution
to provide continuing appropriations through Nov. 22 for all
federal departments and programs. Adopted 206-193.
VOTE: Yea
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(469) HJRES123: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations -
Recommit
October 16, 2002 - Obey, D-Wis., motion to recommit the joint
resolution to the House Appropriations Committee with instructions
that it be reported back with language that would provide
for continuing appropriations through Oct. 21. Motion rejected
194-210.
VOTE: Nay
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(470) HJRES123: Fiscal 2003 Continuing Appropriations -
Passage
October 16, 2002 - Passage of the joint resolution to provide
continuing appropriations through Nov. 22 for all federal
departments and programs. The continuing resolution would
set spending at fiscal 2002 levels and include that year's
supplemental appropriations. Passed 228-172.
VOTE: Yea
Business, Trade, and Consumer Affairs
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(435) HR5348: Question of Privilege - Ruling of the Chair
October 02, 2002 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to table
(kill) the Holden, D-Pa., appeal of the ruling of the chair
that the Holden resolution does not constitute a point of
privilege under Rule IX of the House. The Holden resolution
would express the sense of the House that the Speaker should
immediately bring to the floor a bill (HR 5348) that would
permanently extend the Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy program
and expand it to include family fishermen because failure
to do so would impugn the integrity of the House. Motion agreed
to 214-202.
VOTE: Yea
Congress and Federal Elections
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(429) HR2357: Churches and Campaign Activities - Passage
October 02, 2002 - Herger, R-Calif., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would amend the current tax code
to allow a religiously affiliated organization to carry out
political campaign activities and still maintain its 501(c)(3)
tax exempt status so long as such efforts are not a "substantial
part" of its work. Motion rejected 178-239.
VOTE: Nay
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(431) HRES559: House Special Elections - Adoption
October 02, 2002 - Adoption of the resolution that would
urge state governments to review their policies on special
elections for House members to expedite those procedures so
vacancies caused by a catastrophe could be filled in a timely
fashion. Adopted 414-0.
VOTE: Yea
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(432) HR3295: Election Overhaul - Motion to Instruct
October 02, 2002 - Meek, D-Fla., motion to instruct House
conferees on the election overhaul bill to take appropriate
actions to convene a public meeting of House and Senate conferees
and to ensure that a conference report is filed before Oct.
4, 2002.Motion agreed to 400-14.
VOTE: Yea
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(449) HJRES113: Patsy Mink Tribute - Passage
October 09, 2002 - Isakson, R-Ga., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the joint resolution that would pay tribute to the
late Rep. Patsy T. Mink, D-Hawaii, by renaming Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-318) as the Patsy
T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
Motion agreed to 410-0.
VOTE: Yea
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(462) HR3295: Election Overhaul - Conference Report
October 10, 2002 - Adoption of the conference report on the
bill that would overhaul the nation's election procedures
by authorizing $3.9 billion in federal funds to states over
three years to improve the administration of elections and
help states meet nationwide voting standards. The agreement
would include authorizing $325 million in one-time payments
for states to replace or upgrade punch card voting machines.
It would establish an Election Assistance Commission to serve
as a clearinghouse for information, promulgate additional
voluntary standards, carry out state grant programs, and administer
a certification system that would require states to meet minimum
federal
elections standards and anti-fraud requirements. Beginning
in 2004, it would require states to let voters verify and,
if wrong, change their votes before casting a final ballot
and to provide for provisional voting when eligibility is
in doubt. It also would require individuals to prove their
identity when
registering to vote. Also, first-time voters who registered
through the mail must prove their identity prior to voting.
Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 357-48.
VOTE: Yea
Crime, Drugs, and Judicial Affairs
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(425) HR4125: Federal Court Administration - Passage
October 01, 2002 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill that would make a variety of administrative
changes to the federal court system, including striking current
provisions that exempt from jury service military members,
emergency response personnel, and federal and state government
officers. It also would make it a crime to file a false lien
or
civil claim against a federal judge; allow judges to file
yearly summary reports on wiretap orders; and strike a requirement
that district courts have original jurisdiction over cases
involving citizens and certain foreigners who have permanent
resident status living in the same state.
Motion agreed to 370-21.
VOTE: Yea
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(445) S2690: Pledge of Allegiance Reaffirmation - Passage
October 08, 2002 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill that would reaffirm the Pledge
of Allegiance and the reference to "one nation under
God" as well as the national motto of "In God We
Trust." Motion agreed to 401-5.
VOTE: Yea
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(446) HR5422: Protection of Minors - Passage
October 08, 2002 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill that would increase the federal
role in an alert system on missing children and impose new
measures aimed at safeguarding minors. The bill would appoint
a national coordinator for the America's Missing: Broadcast
Emergency Response System (AMBER); criminalize traveling into
the United States or to a
foreign country to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a
minor; and increase from five years to up to life the maximum
amount of post-imprisonment supervision time a judge may impose
on an individual convicted of a sex offense. It also would
allow federal law enforcement agents to obtain wiretaps
to help in their investigation of four crimes against children
and impose a mandatory life prison sentence on anyone convicted
of repeating any of seven specific sexual offenses against
a child on federal property. Motion agreed to 390-24.
VOTE: Yea
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(465) HR2155: Drunk Driving at U.S. Borders - Passage
October 16, 2002 - Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill that would make it illegal to
operate a motor vehicle at any of the nation's border entry
points while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It would
specify that no federal drunk driving laws exist and clarify
that U.S. Customs and other federal officers would only be
assisting local law enforcement agencies enforce state laws.
Motion agreed to 296-94.
VOTE: Yea
Defense and National Security
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(444) HRES468: NATO Expansion - Adoption
October 07, 2002 - Gallegly, R-Calif., motion to suspend the
rules and adopt the resolution that would reaffirm U.S. support
for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and support
its expansion. It also would urge NATO to increase its cooperation
with Russia and upgrade its military capabilities.
Motion agreed to 358-9.
VOTE: Yea
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(451) HR5557: Military Tax Breaks - Passage
October 09, 2002 - Weller, R-Ill., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would exempt from taxable income the
full $6,000 cash payment given to survivors of military members
killed in the line of duty. It also would ease for military
personnel the requirement that a person live in a principal
residence at least two of the last five years to qualify for
a capital gains exclusion on the sale of the residence. The
bill would exempt military members' time served while on official
duty from the five-year requirement. It would exclude from
taxable gross income amounts received under the Homeowners
Assistance Program and allow military personnel to temporarily
suspend filing
and paying taxes and meeting other IRS requirements while
participating in "contingency operations." It also
would permit descendants of military members to belong to
tax-exempt veterans organizations.
Motion agreed to 412-0.
VOTE: Yea
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(456) HR5010: Fiscal 2003 Defense Appropriations - Rule
October 10, 2002 - Adoption of the resolution (H Res 579)
to provide for House floor consideration of the conference
report on the bill that would provide $355.1 billion for the
Defense Department for fiscal 2003, an increase of $21 billion
over fiscal 2002 regular and supplemental funds.
Adopted 374-37.
VOTE: Yea
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(457) HR5010: Fiscal 2003 Defense Appropriations - Conference
Report
October 10, 2002 - Adoption of the conference report on the
bill that would provide $355.1 billion for the Defense Department
for fiscal 2003, an increase of $21 billion over fiscal 2002
regular and supplemental funds. The agreement would include
$71.5 billion for procurement programs and $7.4 billion for
ballistic missile defense. It would include $4.1 billion for
the Air Force's F-22 fighter jet program and fund a 4.1 percent
pay increase for military personnel. It also would increase
intelligence and counterterrorism programs. Adopted (thus
sent to the Senate) 409-14.
VOTE: Yea
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(458) HR5011: Fiscal 2003 Military Construction Appropriations
- Conference Report
October 10, 2002 - Adoption of the conference report on the
bill that would provide $10.5 billion in fiscal 2003 for military
construction projects, including the building of barracks,
family housing, and medical facilities, $105 million less
than the current level. The bill includes $561 million to
cover costs of prior base closures and $799 million for anti-terrorism
activities. It also includes funds for child care centers,
environmental clean up at closed military facilities, and
the U.S. contribution to North Atlantic Treaty Organization
security efforts. Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 419-0
VOTE: Yea
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(463) HR4546: Fiscal 2003 Defense Authorization - Motion to
Instruct
October 10, 2002 - Taylor, D-Miss., motion to instruct conferees
to insist on language that would allow armed forces retirees
to concurrently receive both pension payments and disability
pay.
Motion agreed to 391-0.
VOTE: Yea
Education
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(433) HR5320: Question of Privilege - Ruling of the Chair
October 02, 2002 - Miller, R-Fla., motion to table (kill)
the Visclosky, D-Ind., appeal of the ruling of the chair that
the Visclosky resolution does not constitute a point of privilege
under Rule IX of the House. The Visclosky resolution would
express the sense of the House that Congress should give
states the resources necessary to implement last year's education
overhaul legislation (PL 107-110) through completion of the
Labor, Health, and Human Services fiscal 2003 spending bill
(HR 5320) because failure to do so would impugn the integrity
of the House. Motion agreed to 210-200: R 210-0; D 0-199 (ND
0-149, SD 0-50); I 0-1.
VOTE: Yea
Foreign Affairs
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(443) HR5531: Sudan Aid - Passage
October 07, 2002 - Smith, R-N.J., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize $100 million annually
through fiscal 2005 for aid to Sudan only for areas not controlled
by the government. It would require the president to certify
that peace negotiations in that country are proceeding in
good faith and that they should continue. If certification
is not made, then the president would be required to take
several actions, including ordering U.S. representatives to
international lending institutions to oppose additional aid.
Motion agreed to 359-8.
VOTE: Yea
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(444) HRES468: NATO Expansion - Adoption
October 07, 2002 - Gallegly, R-Calif., motion to suspend the
rules and adopt the resolution that would reaffirm U.S. support
for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and support
its expansion. It also would urge NATO to increase its cooperation
with Russia and upgrade its military capabilities.
Motion agreed to 358-9.
VOTE: Yea
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(447) HRES549: Great Britain Tribute - Adoption
October 08, 2002 - Gilman, R-N.Y., motion to suspend the rules
and adopt the resolution that would express the thanks of
the House for the leadership of British Prime Minister Tony
Blair in the war against terrorism, commend British intelligence
and law enforcement anti-terrorism efforts, and express sympathy
for British victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
It also recounts the close alliance between the United States
and Great Britain. Motion agreed to 408-1.
VOTE: Yea
Health Care
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(434) HR1862, HR5272, HR5311: Question of Privilege - Ruling
of the Chair
October 02, 2002 - Burr, R-N.C., motion to table (kill) the
Brown, D-Ohio, appeal of the ruling of the chair that the
Brown resolution does not constitute a point of privilege
under Rule IX of the House. The Brown resolution would express
the sense of the House that it should consider pending legislation
that would speed up the approval process of generic drugs.
Motion agreed to 212-204.
VOTE: Yea
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(440) HR854: Question of Privilege - Ruling of the Chair
October 03, 2002 - Hulshof, R-Mo., motion to table (kill)
the Farr, D-Calif., appeal of the ruling of the chair that
the Farr resolution does not constitute a point of privilege
under Rule IX of the House. The Farr resolution would express
the sense of the House that Congress should complete work
on a bill
(HR 854) that would repeal cuts in payments to hospitals that
serve low-income patients or other reimbursement legislation
and ensure necessary Medicare and Medicaid funding because
failure to do so would impugn the integrity of the House.
Motion agreed to 206-192.
VOTE: Yea
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(450) HR3580: New Medical Devices - Passage
October 09, 2002 - Burr, R-N.C., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would authorize the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to collect user fees from companies seeking FDA product
approvals for new medical devices. The agency would be required
to use the additional funds to meet a set of performance goals
aimed at speeding the review and approval process. The bill
would authorize an additional $225 million for medical device
reviews over the next five years, which would include $150
million in user fees and $75 million in appropriations. The
user fees would sunset if $45 million is not appropriated
in the first three years. Third parties could be accredited
to perform certain inspections in manufacturing facilities.
Smaller device makers would be subject to lower fees and an
additional $6 million over two years would be authorized for
post-market review of approved devices.
Motion agreed to 406-3.
VOTE: Yea
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(466) S1533: Community and Rural Health Care - Passage
October 16, 2002 - Stearns, R-Fla., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would authorize through fiscal
2006 funds for community health centers, the National Health
Service Corps, and grants for rural health care providers.
The bill would authorize $1.3 billion in fiscal 2002 and such
funds as are necessary through fiscal 2006 for community health
centers. It also would authorize funds for the corps' scholarship
and loan repayment programs and expand them to include behavioral
and mental health professionals. It would establish a rural
health care grant program and authorize the Community Access
Program, which helps communities provide health care assistance
to the
uninsured. Motion agreed to 392-5.
VOTE: Yea
Labor and Retirement
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(442) HR3340: Federal Retiree Contributions - Passage
October 07, 2002 - Morella, R-Md., motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill that would allow older federal workers to
make higher contributions to their tax-deferred, employer-sponsored
retirement saving plans. In 2003, the Thrift Savings Plan
limit on contributions by federal employees over 50 years
old would be $2,000 higher than the limit for their younger
counterparts; in 2004, the limit would be $3,000 higher; and
in 2005, it would be $4,000 higher. In 2006 and thereafter,
the limit would be $5,000 higher. Motion agreed to 372-0.
VOTE: Yea
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(448) HR5542: Black Lung Claims - Passage
October 09, 2002 - Biggert, R-Ill., motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill that would transfer from the Social
Security Administration to the Labor Department the administration
of all federal claims for compensation related to black lung
disease.
Motion agreed to 404-0: R 206-0; D 197-0 (ND 145-0, SD 52-0);
I 1-0.
Note: A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (270
in this case) is
required for passage under suspension of the rules.
VOTE: Yea
Transportation
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(441) HR5559: Question of Privilege - Ruling of the Chair
October 03, 2002 - Rogers, R-Ky., motion to table (kill) the
Carson, D-Ind., appeal of the ruling of the chair that the
Carson resolution does not constitute a point of privilege
under Rule IX of the House. The Carson resolution would express
the sense of the House that Congress should complete
work on legislation that would appropriate funds for the Transportation
Department for fiscal 2003 with $1.2 billion in spending for
Amtrak because failure to so would impugn the integrity of
the House.
Motion agreed to 203-192.
VOTE: Yea
War on Terrorism
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(452) HJRES114: Use of Force - U.N. Involvement
October 10, 2002 - Lee, D-Calif., amendment that would urge
President Bush to work through the United Nations to ensure
that Iraq is not developing weapons of mass destruction. It
would urge the use of peaceful means to resolve the issue,
including the resumption of weapons inspections, negotiation,
enquiry, mediation and regional arrangements.
Rejected 72-355.
VOTE: Nay
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(453) HJRES114: Use of Force - Military Support for
U.N. Resolution
October 10, 2002 - Spratt, D-S.C., amendment that would authorize
the U.S. military to support any new U.N. Security Council
resolution that would order the elimination, by force if required,
of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, long-range missiles,
and the means of producing such weapons. It also would request
that President Bush seek congressional authority before using
military force against Iraq without such a U.N. resolution.
Rejected 155-270.
VOTE: Nay
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(454) HJRES114: Use of Force - Recommit
October 10, 2002 - Kucinich, D-Ohio, motion to recommit the
bill to the House International Relations Committee with instructions
that it be reported back with language that would require
the president prior to the use of force to file reports to
Congress on the effect of war with Iraq, including estimates
of its impact on the U.S. economy, Iraqi citizens and international
stability.
Motion rejected 101-325.
VOTE: Nay
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(455) HJRES114: Use of Force - Passage
October 10, 2002 - Passage of the joint resolution that would
authorize President Bush to use the U.S. military as he deems
necessary and appropriate to defend U.S. national security
against Iraq and enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions
regarding Iraq. The president would be required to report
to Congress, no later than 48 hours after using force, his
determination that diplomacy or other peaceful means would
not ensure U.S. national security against Iraq or allow enforcement
of U.N. resolutions and that using force is consistent with
anti-terrorism efforts. The resolution also states that it
would give specific statutory authorization under the War
Powers Resolution. The president also would be required to
report to Congress every 60 days on actions relevant to the
resolution.
Passed 296-133.Note: A "yea" was a vote in support
of the president's position.
VOTE: Yea
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