Atlanta-Area Congressmen Weigh Intervention in Syria

On Saturday, President Barack Obama announced he would seek congressional authorization to take military action against Syria in light of the Aug. 21 alleged chemical weapons attack in the rebel-held suburb of Damascus. The Obama administration has accused Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime of carrying out the attack.

Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott said Tuesday he hasn’t decided which way he’ll vote, though he applauded the president for seeking congressional support. He said Obama needs to clarify why any intervention, even a limited one, is in the interest of the U.S. and provide a more detailed military strategy.

“The previous world wars started in similar fashion,” Scott said. “This is a worldwide issue. It is not an issue just going and slapping a few tomahawk missiles on Syria. We’ve got to be ready for the reaction.”

Scott said specifically Obama needs to lay out how American intervention in Syria could affect Israel.

“If we and attack Syria, Mr. President, what are the variety of reactions? Where do we go next? Where is the end game? At what point do we go to the aid of Israel of they are attacked?”

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, also a democrat, said Tuesday he’ll likely vote no on intervention, though he said more information could change his mind. That’s despite House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s calls yesterday to approve a use of force and Secretary of State John Kerry’s assertion of proof this weekend that Assad was behind an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Johnson said he needs proof from the administration that a missile strike would effectively send a message to Assad to stop using chemical weapons.

“I’m looking to see how that can be done without escalating our involvement in the civil war over there,” said Johnson.

On the Republican side, Rep. Tom Price said he’s also undecided on how he’ll vote. He said Tuesday the only form of intervention that makes sense to him at this point is regime change.

“If that’s not going to happen, I’m not certain that military intervention is addressing the national security interest of America,” Price said.

Price was critical of the Obama administration’s handling of the Syrian conflict, adding that he had yet to see a plan from the administration that would impact the outcome in Syria. 

“Unless and until I do,” said Price, “I would be hard pressed to support intervention.”

Republican Representative Rob Woodall said in a statement Sunday he does not support an American involvement, though that statement was issued before Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Speaker John Boehner called on Republicans to support the president’s call for action.

Over the weekend, both U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson issued statements saying they support military action in Syria.

Neither congressional leaders nor the president has indicated plans to call lawmakers back for a special session.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on military authorization after they return to work Sept. 9.