The Senate Foreign Relations Committee could vote on authorizing the use of force as early as Wednesday—the first in a series of votes as the president's request makes its way through Senate and House committees before coming before the two chambers for a final vote.
Asked whether he would take action against Syria if he fails to get approval from Congress, Obama said that as commander in chief, “I always preserve the right and the responsibility to act on behalf of America's national security.”
The Senate panel's top members drafted a resolution late Tuesday that permits Obama to order a “limited and tailored” military mission against Syria, as long as it doesn't exceed 90 days and involves no U.S. troops on the ground for combat operations.
But Republican Sen. John McCain, an outspoken advocate of intervention against Assad's regime, said Wednesday he doesn't support the Senate resolution.
He expressed support for the administration's plan after meeting with Obama at the White House on Monday, but he has wanted more support to Syria's rebels.
