Senate Resolution of February 7, 1917

WHEREAS the President has, for the reasons stated in his address  delivered to the Congress in joint session on February 3, 1917, severed  diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government by the  recall of the American Ambassador at Berlin and by handing his passports to the German Ambassador at Washington; and 

WHEREAS, notwithstanding this severance of diplomatic intercourse,  the President has expressed his desire to avoid conflict with the Imperial German Government; and 

WHEREAS the President declared in his said address that if in his judgment occasion should arise for further action in the premises on the part of the Government of the United States he would submit the matter to the Congress and ask the authority of the Congress to use such means as he might deem necessary for the protection of American seamen and people in the prosecution of their peaceful
and legitimate errands on the high seas: Therefore be it 

Resolved, That the Senate approves the action taken by the President as set forth in his address delivered before the joint session of the Congress, as above stated.