On October 10, 2002, Rep. Waxman voted for resolution H.J.Res. 114, authorizing the use of military force to ensure Iraq's disarmament of weapons of mass destruction. He did so with the expectation that a strong bipartisan stand in Congress would pressure the United Nations to carry out its responsibilities to enforce its own resolutions and because he believed it was necessary to send a tough message for Saddam Hussein to understand he would have to comply.

Strong congressional support for H.J.Res. 114 led to unanimous UN Security Council support for Resolution 1441, which called for Iraq's disarmament and full cooperation with UN weapons inspectors. Rep. Waxman grew concerned, however, about President Bush’s push for unilateral action without the support of the international community. On January 24, 2003, he joined more than 130 Members of Congress in a letter urging President Bush to work with the United Nations and our international partners.

On March 17, 2003, Rep. Waxman called for an investigation of the revelation that the President relied on false intelligence sources to present the case for war with Iraq to the American people and the United Nations. On June 26, 2003, he introduced H.R. 2625, which would establish an Independent Commission on Intelligence about Iraq - modeled after the September 11 Commission - to examine pre-war intelligence and the representations made by executive branch officials about Iraqi efforts to develop and deploy weapons of mass destruction.

In addition, Rep. Waxman has initiated an intensive investigation of the Bush Administration's process for awarding post-war contracts in Iraq to ensure fairness and accountability in U.S. funded projects for Iraq reconstruction. He remains deeply concerned about allegations that Halliburton, a company with close ties to Vice President Dick Cheney, has received special treatment from the Administration in the awarding of Defense Department contracts, including some related to Iraqi reconstruction.

On October 8, 2003, Rep. Waxman joined Rep. Carolyn Maloney to introduce H.R. 3275, the Clean Contracting in Iraq Act.

On October 17, 2003, Rep. Waxman voted against President Bush's $87 billion emergency supplemental appropriations request for Iraq. He remains committed to holding the Bush Administration accountable to the American people for its policy in Iraq and insisting on answers that the public has a right to know. His statement on the House floor, which outlines in detail his concerns about the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq, can be found below.

Statements / Legislation

Rep. Waxman's statement on H.Res. 627, condemning the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad

Rep. Waxman's statement on H.Res. 557, marking the anniversary of the war in Iraq

Rep. Waxman's Statement on H.J.Res. 114, to authorize the use of military force against Iraq

Rep. Waxman’s statement on H.R. 3289, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan

H.R. 2625
Rep. Waxman's legislation to establish an independent commission to examine the intelligence about Iraq and the representations made by executive branch officials about this intelligence.

H.R. 3275
Rep Waxman joined Rep. Carolyn Maloney to introduce the Clean Contracting in Iraq Act.