Top Senate Republicans aren’t readying to follow the path of their House colleagues and announce support for military action in Syria any time soon.
While both Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced today they backed President Obama’s request for authorization to intervene in Syria, it is unlikely that they will be joined in the near term by their Senate leadership colleagues, such as Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell.
“Senate Leadership is not likely to go all in as quickly as House Republican leadership did today,” a Senate Republican aide says. “Obama will have to keep making his case over here.”
One factor is that, unlike in the House, Senate Republicans cannot control what language will be in the resolution authorizing Obama to take action.
McConnell issued a statement today calling on President Obama to more fully develop his case for intervention in Syria.
“I appreciate the President’s briefing today at the White House and would encourage him to continue updating the American people,” McConnell said. “While we are learning more about his plans, Congress and our constituents would all benefit from knowing more about what it is he thinks needs to be done-and can be accomplished-in Syria and the region.”