LOCAL CONGRESSMEN SUPPORT ATTACK BUT ONE VOICES SUSPICIONS.

Byline: Douglas Haberman Daily News Staff Writer

Area congressmen and both of California's U.S. senators supported President Clinton's decision to bomb Iraq on Wednesday, although at least one Republican said he was concerned about the timing.

Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both Democrats, issued statements backing the U.S. airstrikes.

``The president had no choice but to act today,'' said Boxer. ``Anyone who questions the timing of his decision ignores the fact that we committed a month ago to act if Richard Butler (chief U.N. weapons inspector) reported that Saddam was not cooperating. These critics are blinded by political considerations.''

Feinstein said the bombing was necessary because Saddam Hussein was not cooperating with the U.N. weapons inspection team.

``Saddam Hussein seriously misjudged the resolve of the United States that, if full and complete cooperation and access was not accorded to (the U.N. inspectors), the United States would take direct unilateral military action,'' Feinstein said.

Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, said he supports the troops carrying out the bombings but questioned Clinton's timing.

``A large number of my constituents have contacted my offices expressing concern about the timing of the bombing,'' he said in a written statement Wednesday. ``I share their concern. Many of my constituents believe the president ordered the bombing to delay the House of Representatives from voting on articles of impeachment this week. I am keeping an open mind on this issue.''

But McKeon said he's ``looking forward to a full briefing from military and national security leaders regarding the necessity of conducting the strikes at this time.''

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, scoffed at colleagues skeptical about the timing of the airstrikes.

``I'm sickened and disgusted that the Republicans would use this occasion for partisan politics,'' he said.

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, said, ``I have been urging this kind of action ever since it became clear Saddam had no intention of maintaining his commitments.''

There is a suspicion Saddam could be developing nuclear weapons, Berman said. ``Without unfettered inspections, we have to fear the worst.''

Berman said Clinton's decision was proper and came at the right time because Butler just accused Iraq of failing to cooperate.

Immediately after receiving a briefing by Secretary of Defense William Cohen, CIA Director George Tenet and Pentagon leaders, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills, also said the timing was right. If Clinton had waited a month, the Republicans would have criticized him for that, he said.

``It's very hard to justify hitting somebody in January for a report that came out in December,'' Sherman said. ``You either respond to that or . . . establish the idea Saddam doesn't have to cooperate.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.