Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold Reaction to the President’s State of the Union Address January 28, 2003 Tonight the President rightly recognized that the nation faces pressing new priorities as we seek to revitalize the economy and combat the threat of terrorism. As Congress works to strengthen our economy and our national security, however, we must also remember the priority of balancing the federal budget. The only way for Congress to meet these demands without deepening the deficit is by rededicating ourselves to fiscally responsible budgeting. The President's remarks on Iraq did not satisfactorily explain to the American people why they should be prepared to go to war at this time. He is right to be concerned about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and I share his confidence that our troops will be victorious should they be called to battle. But insisting on unilateral military action now makes sense only if there is an imminent threat to the United States, and the President has not yet made that case clearly and publicly. A unilateral rush to war absent such a threat would alienate key partners in the fight against terrorism and fuel the misperception that we are aggressive and hostile toward the Muslim world. Neither outcome is in our interest.

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