Baldacci, Allen vote against Iraq resolution

WASHINGTON – Democratic Reps. Tom Allen and John Baldacci both voted “No” on the resolution the House passed Thursday to grant President Bush the power to attack Iraq unilaterally.

The Maine representatives were in the minority as 296 of the 435 members voted to authorize the president to use military force if he determines it necessary to protect the United States against the threat posed by Iraq. The resolution allows Bush to enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions on Iraq and requires him to notify Congress before using force.

Allen and Baldacci both supported an alternative resolution that was killed earlier in the day and that would, according to Allen, have authorized “the use of force through the United Nations” but would “provide no blank check for unilateral military action.”

Baldacci said he voted for the alternative Sprat resolution “to support the president and to build a powerful allied force against Iraq … Its strong approach offered the most effective way to accomplish these goals. The Spratt resolution … made clear that if our efforts in working with allies fail, the president will have all the tools necessary to take prompt military action.”