Other members, including Rep. George Nethercutt (Wash.-5th) and Rep. Mark Kennedy (Minn.-6th), successfully supported adding Germany, Russia and Syria to the list of nations prohibited from getting U.S. reconstruction dollars because of their strong opposition to the proposed March 7 U.N. resolution.

"Before the start of military action, the United States was engaged in an all-out diplomatic effort to avoid war by pressuring Saddam Hussein into complying with United Nations Resolution 1441,"  said Saxton, who is heading up the newly-created House Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. "The position of the these governments-  led by the French government-  prevented unity and showed a divided international will, and probably encouraged Saddam Hussein to continue not to cooperate with U.N. inspectors. While I believe the French have been a major obstacle, others in Congress felt other countries were also responsible for blocking a new U.N. resolution."

The measure passed by voice vote, and was added to the supplemental bill, H.R. 1559, that passed 412-14.

Saxton said that any nation opposed to a U.S. position or resolution has a right to voice and vote in opposition, but to threaten to veto it even if it overruled a majority of the Security Council, goes too far.

"France actively and publicly stated their opposition to the Security Council resolution regarding Iraq introduced by Spain, the UK, and the U.S. on March 7, and even made efforts to sway other U.N. Security Council Members to join them in opposing the U.S. and the U.K. throughout the debate in the U.N. regarding the war with Iraq," Saxton said. "Even with U.S. and Coalition forces now in Iraq fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi people, the French government has continued its public efforts in criticizing our brave men and women."

"When we look forward to the future of Iraq and see what the reconstruction efforts of Iraq will entail, I do not believe U.S. tax dollars should be spent supporting companies in countries which have actively and outwardly opposed this war," Saxton said. "Our brave soldiers are risking their lives each and every day in the name of freedom, and U.S. taxpayers are investing in this effort.  Why should the U.S. support countries who have actively worked against us and allow them to reap the benefits of helping to reconstruct a post-war Iraq?

"This amendment is the right thing for us to do," Saxton said. "We cannot allow for other countries to work against us and against what is right and then allow them to benefit with our tax dollars."

Saxton introduced an earlier resolution, H.Con Res. 48 several weeks ago which discouraged American tourists, the American government or American companies from participating in the 2003 Paris Air Show. A second bill, H.R. 1072, would bar the Department of Defense from participating in the show. The bills were intended to provide different options to express U.S. sentiment to the French government. Saxton, a ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, supports the resolution authorizing funding the war in Iraq.

"The supplemental bill will fund Operation Iraqi Freedom, operations in the war against terror, humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq and homeland security efforts," he said. "I remain very concerned about international terrorism, and support working with other nations in the war on terrorism."