In light of Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians, President Obama issued a draft resolution authorizing the use of military force in Syria to both houses of Congress on Saturday. Now, the Senate will hold committee hearings this week and have a full debate before voting the following week, while the House plans to begin debating the issue when it returns to Washington, DC on Sept. 9, reports the Washington Post.
However, many lawmakers are unsure if they will vote for or against military action because most are waiting to see how the Obama administration makes it case in the coming days. Other congress members have stated that the Obama administration needs to make a strong case in the days ahead if they hope to push the resolution through a legislature riven by a matrix of divides.
Rep. Janice Hahn, D-Calif., said there was a "lot of concern" in the room, and that members of Congress seemed to be "evenly divided" over the use of military action, reports CBS News.
"I don't know if every member of Congress is there yet. I'm not there yet," she said, wondering whether there's "another way to hold Assad accountable."
Likewise, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn said he would also vote against the current resolution.
Some lawmakers said they needed to hear more information and see final legislative language before making a decision.
"I need to hear more," said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., adding that "The broad authority the president asked for I think creates lots of concern," he explained, saying the administration is "open on the language issue, and I think they would have to be if they want [Congress' approval]."
Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said he has a "number of questions that have to be resolved" before he decides how to vote, saying that Obama's draft is "very, very broad."
The Obama administration "presented to Congress a strong case," added Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., but the result "depends on the resolution that ultimately we're asked to vote on."
Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., said he would vote in favor of the resolution and predicted it would pass.
"I have confidence that members of Congress will step up to the plate, because if we do nothing, I think it sends a very wrong message," he said. "I think now and then we can go beyond politics, and this is one time we need to."