Congress demands OK on possible Syria strikes

By BRADLEY KLAPPER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Republican lawmaker is rallying support to pressure President Barack Obama into seeking congressional authorization for military strikes against Syria.

Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia is asking colleagues to sign a letter to Obama that urges him to reconvene Congress and seek approval for any military action.

Rigell says that engaging the U.S. military in Syria in the absence of a direct threat to the United States and without prior congressional authorization would violate the constitutional separation of powers.

Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers are similarly invoking the War Powers Resolution. The U.S. appears likely to use force in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks by Syria's Bashar Assad regime.

The 1973 resolution demands Congress' authorization within 60 days of strikes. Presidents of both parties have largely disregarded it.