In the end, the use-of-force resolution passed, but narrowly-52 to 47.

Congress passed a use-of-force resolution, an airline bailout, a vast increase in federal criminal powers against terrorism and money-laundering, and after weeks of squabbling, a bill enhancing airport security.

And there are other questions, like why the new buildup was announced before the U.N. Security Council could adopt a use-of-force resolution.

But since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Mr. Gonzales' office has not only written the use-of-force resolution but drafted the president's order creating military tribunals.

"Congress has in fact authorized Hamdi's detention" through the use-of-force resolution, Justice O'Connor said.

The use-of-force resolution, he continued, "constitutes that other authorization, that other statute by Congress, to engage in this kind of signals intelligence."

Herein, a primer: The 'No, but' Response This is by far the most common refrain among Democrats who supported the use-of-force resolution but who now wish they hadn't.

While Bush Administration officials had been thinking about how to put together a use-of-force resolution since early September, the idea only became a live option at the end of October.

A Soviet official in Beijing said it was possible both the Soviet Union andChina would abstain on a use-of-force resolution.

Although there is said to be more than one reason for the difficulty found in getting approval of a use-of-force resolution, the major cause has been the difference in United States and Soviet views.