Cornyn demands that Obama consult Congress before Syria military action

Texas on the Potomac

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Cornyn demands that Obama consult Congress before Syria military action

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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John Cornyn

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(Associated Press)New Senate Minority whip John Cornyn of Texas, left, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. From left are, Cornyn, as Sen, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

As tensions mount in the debate over how President Obama should respond to Syria's use of chemical weapons, Texas Sen. John Cornyn Tuesday urged the president to include Congress in making his decision.

"Before any action is taken regarding Syria, it is imperative that President Obama make the case to the American people and consult with Congress," said  Cornyn, the second-ranking Senate Republican.

President Obama makes a point at his Aug. 9 press conference. (Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle)

Cornyn's response follows the announcement Monday by Secretary of State John Kerry that the evidence is now "undeniable" that the Assad-led Syrian government used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus on August 21. It is consistent with the rhetoric of top Republican congressional leaders including House Speaker John Boehner.

With the increasingly aggressive tone toward the Syrian government, administration officials have stated that, while President Obama has not yet come to a final decision, it is likely that he will order some form of limited military strike, possibly as early as Thursday.

GOP leaders have not spoken out against military action but have been critical of the administration for not reaching out to them as much as they would like.

While Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel confirmed Tuesday that a strategy for a military action has been drawn up should the president choose to act, Cornyn would first like President Obama to make clear the cost of U.S. action – or inaction – in the matter.

"He needs to explain what vital national interests are at stake and should put forth a detailed plan with clear objectives and an estimated cost for achieving those objectives."

The administration is expected to make a formal announcement of their intentions some time in the next few days.

Categories: Barack Obama, John Cornyn, Military, White House

Tags: chemical weapons | Chuck Hagel | John Boehner | John Cornyn | John Kerry | More

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Cornyn demands that Obama consult Congress before Syria military action
http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/08/cornyn-demands-that-obama-consult-congress-before-syria-military-action/

John Hames