During debate on a bill that would grant congressional approval for President Bush to launch a military campaign against Iraq, Congressman Spratt (D-SC) proposed an amendment which would have compelled the U.S. military to support any new United Nations Security Council resolution ordering the elimination of Iraq's weapons program. The amendment would have also required the president to obtain congressional approval before using military force against Iraq if a United Nations resolution which authorized force was not obtained. Progressives supported Spratt's measure as a way to insure that Congress has the final word in declaring war (the Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to declare war). Moreover, Progressives argued that U.S. military action without U.N. support would undermine U.S. support in the international arena and serve to isolate the U.S. from the rest of the world. The Spratt amendment was rejected by a 155- 270 vote margin.