Obama: ‘U.S. will take military action against Syria’ President seeks Congressional approval

President Obama said he would strike, but also that he will seek authorization for the use of force from Congress.

US President Barack Obama speaks about Syria from the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 31, 2013. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

President Obama announced Saturday that he will order U.S. military action against Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad against his own civilians earlier this month, but added that he will seek authorization from Congress first.

“I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian targets,” Obama said in a speech from the White House Rose Garden, adding that the potential strikes would be “designed to be limited in duration and scope.”

But he continued: “I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people’s representatives in Congress.”

Congress is currently out of session and is not scheduled to return until Sept. 9. It was unclear how swiftly it would rush back to session.

The U.S. government disclosed evidence Friday that it said confirmed that the Syrian government used rockets and artillery to fire a nerve agent into a Damascus suburb that is a rebel stronghold. The intelligence shows “that more than 1,400 died as a result of that attack, including more than 400 children.”

Obama called the attack the “worst chemical weapons attack of the 21st century,” and “an assualt on human dignity.” He added that it threatens U.S. national security and poses a risk to our allies in the region.

But nonetheless, he said he intended to ask lawmakers for authorization before proceeding. “While I believe I have the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization, I believe that the country will be stronger” with such approval, he said.

Obama said he was not willing to wait for the U.N., which he described as “completely paralyzed and unwilling to hold Assad accountable.”

Obama said that the chairman of the joint chiefs has told him that our capacity to strike is “not time-sensitive,” adding: “It will be effective tomorrow, or one week from now.”

Obama did not say what he intended to do if Congress refuses to sign off on military action. But he made a forceful case for such action.

“What message will we send if a dictator can gas hundreds of children to death in plain sight and pay no price?” Obama asked.

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“I know well that we are weary of war,” Obama continued, and added that “we cannot resolve the underlying conflict with our military.”

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But, he said, “we are the United States of America, and we cannot and must not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus.”

Anti-war protesters, gathered outside the White House, could be heard chanting before the president spoke, NBC News reported–a stark reminder of the public’s deep skepticism about another Mideast military venture.

Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain responded to Obama’s speech via Twitter: “I understand and support Barack Obama’s position on #Syria.” On Thursday, British lawmakers rejected a proposal to authorize military ation, which Cameron supported.

Member of Congress from both parties had urged Obama to seek lawmakers’ approval before acting.

In a statement released after Obama’s speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said:

“Today the President advised me that he will seek an authorization for the use of force from the Congress prior to initiating any combat operations against Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons. The President’s role as commander-in-chief is always strengthened when he enjoys the expressed support of the Congress.”

The top four GOPers in the House, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today issued the following joint statement.

“Under the Constitution, the responsibility to declare war lies with Congress.  We are glad the president is seeking authorization for any military action in Syria in response to serious, substantive questions being raised.  In consultation with the president, we expect the House to consider a measure the week of September 9th.  This provides the president time to make his case to Congress and the American people.”