Lawmakers debate action on Iraq

Bush expected to win support on resolution

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, has threatened procedural moves to delay a vote on the resolution.

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VIDEO Members of the U.S. Congress are debating whether to give President Bush the authority to launch a unilateral strike against Iraq (October 9) PLAY VIDEO Many Iraqis are skeptical about George W. Bush's claim that the U.S. is a friend to the Iraqi people. CNN's Jane Arraf reports (October 9) PLAY VIDEO U.S. President Bush outlined his case against Saddam Hussein, saying the Iraqi leader must disarm or face a possible military strike. CNN's John King reports (October 8) PLAY VIDEO RELATED • Poll: Half of America supports Iraq invasion  • Story: Bush draws guarded support from Asia  • Story: Bush speech elicits relief, support, ire  • Story: Britain warns Iraq's neighbors they face great risks  SPECIAL REPORT •  War Tracker •  On the Scene Map •  Commanders: U.S. | Iraq •  Weapons: 3D Models •  Coalition casualties | POW/MIA •  Special Report ON CNN TV  Watch SHOWDOWN: IRAQ anchored by CNN's Wolf Blitzer weekdays at noon (ET) for in-depth coverage of the conflict with the latest news and debate from around the world.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the CIA warned of a possible terrorist attack from Saddam Hussein, lawmakers debated Tuesday whether to grant President Bush the authority to launch a unilateral strike against Iraq.

"We must not let evil triumph," declared House Speaker Dennis Hastert, urging support of a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. "We must do something."

Lawmakers -- most of whom face voters in four weeks -- are considering whether to give Bush the authority to use U.S. forces to disarm Iraq, which Bush says has biological and chemical weapons and is working to develop nuclear weapons in violation of U.N. resolutions.

"So far, the United Nations has proved unwilling to back its words with actions," said Rep. David Dreier, R-California. "As Saddam's primary enemy, it falls to the president and this Congress to protect the American people from this mass murderer."

Bush took his message to Tennessee Tuesday after a national address Monday night from Cincinnati in which he outlined his case against Iraq and called on Saddam to disarm. (Full story)

"If they (the United Nations) won't deal with this man, the United States of America will lead a coalition to disarm him for the sake of peace," Bush said in Knoxville, where he campaigned for the Republican candidate for governor. He urged Congress to show the United Nations that Americans "can speak with one voice" on the issue.

In a related development, CIA Director George Tenet warned in a letter to the Senate Intelligence Committee that Saddam may resort to terrorism against the United States if he believes an American-led attack on Iraq is inevitable.

"Baghdad for now appears to be drawing a line short of conducting terrorist attacks with conventional, or CBW (chemical or biological weapons), against the United States," Tenet wrote. "Should Saddam conclude that a U.S. led attack could no longer be deterred he probably would become much less constrained in adopting terrorist actions."

That quote was read to reporters Tuesday by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Bob Graham, D-Florida, who said the letter from Tenet was 2 1/2 pages long.

In the Senate, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, assailed the proposed resolution sought by the White House, saying it is far too broad.

"He shall use all the military forces of this country in whatever ways he determines, wherever he determines, whenever he determines and for as long as he determines -- that's the way it's written, lock, stock and barrel," Byrd, the chamber's senior Democrat, said. "Congress might as well just close the doors, put a sign over the doors and say, 'Going fishing.' "

According to colleagues, Byrd has said that he might invoke procedural moves to extend the Senate debate -- and the final vote -- on the resolution into next week.

Another Democrat, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, endorsed the administration's approach toward Iraq and maintained the resolution was "not a blank check."

"(If) we do not stop Saddam now, we will look back on some terrible day with a profound sense of remorse and guilt and say, 'Why didn't we do it?' " Lieberman, D-Connecticut, said.

Powell visits Capitol Hill

Secretary of State Colin Powell met with the measure's Senate sponsors Tuesday, telling reporters the resolution "will definitely strengthen my hand as I try to do the diplomatic work up in New York, at the United Nations."

"I think there is increasing support for a U.N. resolution that puts in place a much stronger inspection mandate," Powell said. "I think there is a clear understanding of the fact that the only reason Iraq is trying to respond now is because the threat of force is there."

Secretary of State Colin Powell, second from left, met Tuesday with Sen. Joseph Lieberman and others.

The White House tried to bolster its case by releasing two previously classified satellite photographs showing what it called reconstruction work at Iraqi nuclear sites. Bush also argued that a senior al Qaeda leader received medical treatment in Baghdad within the past year.

Iraq, which denies the U.S. allegations, blasted Bush's speech Tuesday.

"Evil Bush is back to launch false accusations against Iraq without managing to present one piece of evidence that backs his aggressive lies," an Iraqi government statement said.

A House vote on the congressional resolution is expected Thursday, and, in the Senate, an initial procedural vote on the resolution supported by Bush -- which would indicate the level of support the measure enjoys -- is expected Thursday. The timing in the Senate for a vote on the resolution itself remained fluid.

While passage seemed likely, that did not stop some lawmakers from voicing their opposition.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, called the resolution "premature" and suggested Bush seek a formal declaration of war against Iraq.

"Nothing in the present resolution on the floor prevents a unilateral, pre-emptive strike, which is a violation of international law," she said.

And Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin said Bush is giving "two totally inconsistent messages at the same time."

"When you read his words, he said 'I want authorization for force in support of U.N. resolutions. That is fine," said Levin, D-Michigan. "What he wants in addition to that is not so fine, which is the authority to go it unilaterally, on our own."

Levin is offering an alternative resolution that would require Bush to have U.N. Security Council backing before any military action. A similar measure was introduced in the House.

Other critics have questioned Bush's assertion that al Qaeda leaders fled from Afghanistan to Iraq. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, said, "We haven't seen any proof that any of this has happened."

"If there is substantiation, we need to see that in Congress, not hear it over the television monitor," Thompson told CNN. An Armed Services Committee member, Thompson was one of three congressmen who visited Iraq last week.

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