Congress' top Republicans praise Obama on Syria

Sen. John Cornyn. Photo / Getty Images

Leading congressional Republicans praised President Barack Obama's decision to seek lawmakers' approval before punishing Syria for a chemical attack. But it was far from clear whether they would support such a strike in a region rife with warfare and the specter of retaliation.

"I do believe (Syria) should not have impunity," for the Aug. 21 attack near Damascus, Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said by telephone. "But we need to understand what the whole scope of consequences is. What the president may perceive as limited ... won't stop there."

The White House was expected to brief members of Congress throughout the weekend, part of what's certain to be an intensive push to persuade lawmakers to sign off on what Obama described as a narrowly-focused operation that could be carried out anytime over the next few weeks.

Obama's decision to consult Congress came after lawmakers widely demanded he seek authorization under the War Powers Act. The specter of the Iraq war hovered too, with lawmakers skittish over the Bush administration's claim later disproved that Saddam Hussein's government possessed weapons of mass destruction.

"And all of us should be accountable as we move forward, and that can only be accomplished with a vote," Obama said Saturday. "And in doing so, I ask you, members of Congress, to consider that some things are more important than partisan differences or the politics of the moment."

Secretary of State John Kerry said the chemical weapons attack killed 1,429 people, of which he said 426 were children.

For now, many lawmakers were praising Obama for putting the question to Congress. But it is not expected to act until the House of Representatives returns from recess on Sept. 9.

"Under the Constitution, the responsibility to declare war lies with Congress," said House Speaker John Boehner in a statement. Boehner said his chamber would consider the question the week of Sept. 9.

"We are glad the president is seeking authorization for any military action in Syria in response to serious, substantive questions being raised," he said.

"The President's role as commander-in-chief is always strengthened when he enjoys the expressed support of the Congress," agreed the top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Rep. Peter King, however, said Obama was abdicating his role as commander-in-chief. The New York Republican suggested the president was undermining the authority of future presidents and seeking a political shield for himself by going through Congress.

"The president doesn't need 535 Members of Congress to enforce his own red line," he said.

Obama had said earlier that Assad's use of chemical weapons would cross a red line, suggesting greater U.S. intervention in the Syrian conflict.

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- AP