4 Sep 2013
Obama secures crucial support from key Congressional figures on Syrian intervention
FXstreet.com (Lisbon) - In a recent bid, President Barack Obama won the backing of key political figures in Congress, including Republicans, in his call for limited U.S. strikes against Syria to punish President Bashar al-Assad for his suspected use of chemical weapons against civilians.
Indeed, leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee reported they reached an agreement on a draft authorization for the use of military force in Syria, clearing the way for a vote by the committee on Wednesday. However, the draft is much narrower than the request made by Obama and includes a provision specifically barring the use of American troops on the ground.
Speaking after the United Nations said two million Syrians had fled a conflict that posed the greatest threat to world peace since the Vietnam war, Obama said on Tuesday the United States also has a broader plan to help rebels defeat Assad's forces. "What we are envisioning is something limited. It is something proportional. It will degrade Assad's capabilities," Obama said. "At the same time we have a broader strategy that will allow us to upgrade the capabilities of the opposition."
In a rare act of compromise with the president, John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor both pledged their support for military action after the meeting. Votes are expected to be held in the Senate and House next week, with the Republican-led House presenting the tougher challenge for Obama.
Indeed, leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee reported they reached an agreement on a draft authorization for the use of military force in Syria, clearing the way for a vote by the committee on Wednesday. However, the draft is much narrower than the request made by Obama and includes a provision specifically barring the use of American troops on the ground.
Speaking after the United Nations said two million Syrians had fled a conflict that posed the greatest threat to world peace since the Vietnam war, Obama said on Tuesday the United States also has a broader plan to help rebels defeat Assad's forces. "What we are envisioning is something limited. It is something proportional. It will degrade Assad's capabilities," Obama said. "At the same time we have a broader strategy that will allow us to upgrade the capabilities of the opposition."
In a rare act of compromise with the president, John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor both pledged their support for military action after the meeting. Votes are expected to be held in the Senate and House next week, with the Republican-led House presenting the tougher challenge for Obama.