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Congress praises Bush, military action

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congressional leaders lined up in support of Sunday's strikes against Taliban positions in Afghanistan.

The Republican and Democratic leadership of Congress issued a statement after the attacks began, praising President Bush and the military.

"We strongly support the operation President Bush ordered our military forces to carry out today," the statement said. "The Administration has properly made it clear that today's action and any future action are directed against those who perpetrated the heinous attacks on the United States on September 11th, not against Islam or the people of Afghanistan.

RESOURCES Karl: Congressional support for Bush

"We stand united with the president and with our troops, and will continue to work together to do what is necessary to bring justice to these terrorists and those who harbor them."

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The statement was issued by the Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois; Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi; House Minority Leader Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Missouri; and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota. Bush called the four leaders Saturday night to tell them the military action was about to begin.

Other senators echoed that support.

"The actions taken by the family of nations are a just and essential step in ridding the world of the global threat of terrorism and bringing to justice those who plot the destruction of peaceful and innocent people," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona. "I fully support the president's actions."

"We all recognize that this is just the beginning of a long, multi-faced campaign against terrorism," said Sen. George Allen, R-Virginia. "America and those people who stand with us in our quest for enduring freedom will be patient, sure and resolved. Freedom and justice will prevail."