U.S. Congress divided on authorizing Obama administration's military strike on Syria (2)

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U.S. Congress divided on authorizing Obama administration's military strike on Syria (2)

(Xinhua) 14:08, September 02, 2013

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SUPPORTERS CITE NATIONAL SECURITY AT STAKE

Some supporters in Congress expressed support for Obama's decision to take military action to punish Syria for the use of chemical weapons, citing that U.S. national security is at stake.

House's Democratic minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Harry Reid have voiced strong support to Obama over his decision on Syria response.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican, told CNN Sunday that he expected Congress to authorize a military strike on Syria as the evidence of chemical attack is powerful.

"I think at the end of the day Congress will rise to the occasion," he said. "This is a national security issue."

Senator Tim Kaine, a Democratic, told CBS's "Face the Nation" that he believed that Congress will support the government's plan to punish the Assad government for the use of chemical weapons.

Democratic senator Chris Murphy also predicted Congress will pass the authorization for taking military action against Syria, while praising Obama's decision to seek congressional approval as "the right move."

Peter King, a Republican Representative, criticized Obama for not taking immediate action against Assad, while adding he would vote "yes" to authorize the use of force against Syrian government.

Senator John McCain, a ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he supported the military action against Syria, adding that he wants to see the real plan and strategy before voting "yes."

Meanwhile, he urged Obama to expand the military strike to remove President Assad from power to eliminate the threat of continued use of chemical weapons.

SKEPTICS CALL ON OBAMA TO MAKE A STRONGER CASE

Standing between supporters and opponents, some lawmakers take the middle ground. They said Obama and his administration should make a stronger case of resorting to the use of force against Syria so to convince them to support.

Democratic senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, acknowledged the Obama administration will have to work "diligently" to persuade lawmakers that involvement in Syria is in the country's interest.

Saxby Chambliss, top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said if Obama cannot make his case to Congress, then he could vote against the authorization. He said Obama needs to provide "in-depth" explanations to the lawmakers on its intelligence and military strategy in Syria.

Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic Representative, praised Obama Saturday night for seeking congressional approval of his military plan on Syria, but avoiding a promise of support to the authorization vote.

"We need to determine the best way to respond to the heinous use of chemical weapons in Syria and how we can act effectively to protect civilians from further massacres," Schakowsky said.