WASHINGTON — President Bush formally asked Congress on Tuesday to permit him to go to war with Iraq--the first presidential request for authorization of military force in more than a quarter of a century.
"I am determined to protect America's security," Bush declared in a two-page letter that appeared to mark a crucial step after a five-month U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf. "I ask Congress to join me in this task."
Although Bush's request is expected to precipitate a wrenching, emotional debate about war and peace in Congress, there appears little doubt that it will be approved. The House is expected to vote in favor of it Saturday; the Senate is likely to approve it early next week.
Specifically, Bush asked Congress to ratify the same resolution that was adopted last Nov. 29 by the U.N. Security Council. It permits the use of force if Iraq fails to withdraw from Kuwait by Jan. 15.
If approved, the resolution would effectively serve as a U.S. declaration of war with Iraq, according to congressional leaders. It would also be the first time since the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed on Aug. 7, 1964, that Congress has authorized the use of military force.
In fact, liberal Democrats, who are fearful of a protracted war such as that waged by the United States in Vietnam, have complained that the resolution sought by Bush would give the Administration a "blank check" similar to the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. That resolution permitted President Lyndon B. Johnson to carry on the Vietnam War without obtaining further approval from Congress.
Congress has declared war only five times in U.S. history, even though the nation has been involved in an estimated 200 armed conflicts.
Bush did not acknowledge in his letter to Congress that he needs its approval to go to war. He has consistently maintained that he has the constitutional authority as commander in chief to go to war without such approval, and he apparently never considered asking for congressional support until it was apparent that he had a majority.
Nevertheless, the President indicated that he wants the approval of Congress to "send the clearest possible message" to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that the United States is determined to intervene militarily if Iraq fails to withdraw from Kuwait by Jan. 15.
At the White House, Bush emphasized that he is not threatening to go to war as soon as the deadline has passed.
