``It is time to move beyond political support to direct military assistance,'' said Senate majority leader Trent Lott in introducing the Iraq Liberation Act. A similar bill was introduced in the House by the chairman of the international relations committee.

The Clinton administration had no immediate response to the Republican move that would, in effect, openly commit the United States to overthrowing Saddam, a tack the administration has resisted. The bills have some Democratic support, however, and Lott said he consulted with the administration in drawing up the Senate measure.

In the past, the White House has opposed direct aid to the Iraqi opposition on the grounds that it could lead to further US obligations. The groups themselves also have preferred covert assistance that would not openlyidentify them as US-backed. The CIA aided Iraqi resistance groups after the Gulf war in 1991 and Congress earlier approved some humanitarian and political support for Kurdish and other opposition groups operating outside Iraq.

``This is the 55th day without weapons inspections in Iraq,'' Lott said. ``The problem in Iraq is not the people of Iraq, the problem is Saddam Hussein. And we should have a direct, active, overt support of the opposition that would lead to the removal of Saddam Hussein from office.''