Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. statement, October 10, 2002

ЛГИ» FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suite 304 LtrihorriDo, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon Hovm Offic* Building Woibington, D.C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Thursday, October 10, 2002 202/225-3061 Statement from Congressman Ehrlich Regarding Authorization of the Use of Force Against Iraq WASHINGTON, D.C. - “Today, I voted for House Joint Resolution 1 14, authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq. “For months, I have weighed the arguments for and against authorizing the use of force, if necessary, against Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime. My approach to this issue has been based on three important elements: the immediate safety of the American people at home and abroad, the best interests of our country, and the prospect of placing our military men and women in harm’s way. “After careful consideration of each factor, I am convinced that, in the post-9/ 1 1 world, the consequences of American complacency are far greater than the consequences of responding to a clear and present danger. A long-term assessment of Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime confirms the immediate threat facing the American people, our allies, and our interests abroad. “First, despite international efforts over the past decade, Saddam Hussein continues to develop weapons of mass destruction, including chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons that could be deployed against his neighbors or the American people. “Second, he has supported, harbored, or worked with terrorist networks, including A1 Qaeda, that are responsible for the September 1 1 attacks and have made known their intentions to bring additional harm to the American people. “Third, he has evaded sixteen United Nations Resolutions, each one designed to promote peace and security in an unstable region. “Fourth, his large-scale chemical weapons attack against his own people in the late 1980s, which killed thousands of innocent men, women, and children, underscores the drastic consequences of a similar attack against an American city.