In giving President Bush authority to use military force against Saddam Hussein, here are some statements by Kansas’ senators and Lawrence’s House representatives:

“Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons. He has biological weapons. He is working on nuclear weapons. He has missile capacity to deliver all of these. That is the cancer that exists. We can say we feel fine today; we are fine. What if he decides to launch any one of those? What if he does it not at military targets but at civilian targets, at one of our allies, or even at us? Are we fine then? I can just see us having a commission after that period of time asking: Why didn’t we catch these terrorists?”

— U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Oct. 8, 2002)

“Iraq is absolutely a component in the war against terrorism. Let me try to make that point. In light of the events of September 11, 2001, I believe this body has more reason to support action against Iraq than it had in the winter of 1991. That is a pretty strong statement.

“Because preventing weapons of mass destruction from being acquired by terrorist cells should be the No. 1 policy priority of this federal government. This means neutralizing regimes that possess or seek such weapons and are predisposed to harboring, assisting, sympathizing with the bin Ladens of the world. That is a real priority for us.”

— U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (Oct. 9, 2002)

“There is no question that Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction in the form of chemical and biological weapons. There is also no question that he is working to develop a nuclear capability. He could be in possession of a working nuclear device in a matter of several months to a few years.”

— U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore (Oct. 2, 2002).

“Information provided by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency and testimony received by the House Armed Services Committee clearly establishes that Saddam Hussein currently possesses chemical and biological weapons and is actively pursuing nuclear weapons.”

— U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (Oct. 10, 2002)