On September 14, 2001, both houses of Congress authorized the use of the United States Armed Forces against those who “planned, authorized, committed or aided” the September 11th terrorist attacks. The Senate vote was 98-0. The House of Representatives voted 420 to 1. The soul dissenter was Barbara Lee, a California Democrat.
Watch:
Here is Gillian Brockell at The Washington Post:
Rep. Barbara Lee agonized over her vote, she said later, until that morning, when the California Democrat listened to the prayer of one of the country’s most prominent clergymen.
It was three days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and like nearly every other member of Congress, she was attending a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral. In his opening invocation, the dean of the cathedral, the Rev. Nathan Baxter, said, “Let us also pray for divine wisdom as our leaders consider the necessary actions for national security, wisdom of the grace of God, that as we act we not become the evil we deplore.”
Read the rest here. Lee is still serving California in the House. Her district covers Berkeley and Oakland.
