US Government and Congress Response to Syria

In the United States there has been no political consensus either on arming the Syrian rebels or on US military intervention in Syria following allegations of chemical weapons attacks on civilians by the Syrian regime. Views in Congress range from those who think the Obama Government is not doing enough to tackle Syrian atrocities, to those who do not want to see any military action at all.

President Obama announced on 31 August 2013 that the US should take military action against the Syrian regime in retaliation for its use of chemical weapons following a particularly serious attack on civilians near Damascus, but that he would ask Congress to authorise any US action. An authorisation request was drawn up in the form of a ‘Draft Resolution to Authorize Use of Military Force in Syria’, which will be debated in both Houses after Congress convenes on 9 September 2013.

This Note looks at US Government moves towards military intervention in Syria and Congressional responses.