The House of Representatives voted 296-133 to allow President Bush to use military force against Iraq and Saddam Hussein, with or without the support of the United Nations.

The resolution gives Bush the powers he has been seeking to take action in the future if he deems it necessary. As the possibility of war draws closer, students who once seemed apathetic about following policies overseas are now becoming more concerned.

Some students are beginning to consider how the possibility of military action in Iraq would effect them personally.

Jennifer Clark, a freshman political science major, said she has a family member in the military who was just deployed, and she hopes today’s vote does not mean war.

“Everyone is nervous about him going to war,” she said. “We are really close.”

She said the threat of losing someone close to her is on her mind, but she is also concerned about the possibility of a massive amount of people dying on both sides.

Samantha Lampton, a sophomore elementary education major, and Clark, said they thought the government is unaware of many of the weapons Iraq possesses, and if they decide to use them, the death toll will be enormous on both sides.

“Iraq is ready for us whether we know it or not,” Lampton said.

She said her brother is in the military and as decisions unfold in the government, she and her family are becoming more concerned.

“I don’t think he should do it because we will lose too many lives,” said Lampton.

Clark said she feared a war would only hurt an economy that is already unstable from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, too. Bush should concentrate on the stock market and more jobs rather than just war.

Other students support the war and are confident that America will prevail and policy-makers are making decisions in the people’s best interest.

Jim Wrench, a senior industrial technology major, said if a war with Iraq transpired, it would be a very different war from others America has fought before. Despite the idea that a war now may use nuclear weapons and biological warfare, he thought the United States had enough information and knowledge about Hussein and Iraq to win.

Wrench said he did not think a draft would be enforced, and this war would not become “the next Vietnam.”

“I don’t see why everyone is getting so hyped up about it,” he said.

Ryan Purdy, a senior psychology major and member of Reserve Officers Training Corps, said he would not be personally affected by a war, and there was little threat that ROTC members would be called to action.

However, he said as a student, he put full faith in the decisions of Congress.

“They have information the we don’t have access to,” he said. “I believe they will represent their constituents to the best of their ability.”

His fellow ROTC members agreed.

“I support whatever (Congress’s) decision is,” said Brenda Jost, a senior political science major and ROTC member.