Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken said Friday that it’s neither President Barack Obama’s “desire nor his intention” to strike Syria without Congressional approval.
Speaking on NPR’s Morning Edition, Blinken said the president “has the authority to act, but it’s neither his desire nor his intention to use that authority absent Congress backing him.”
Obama said earlier this week at a press conference in Sweden that he believes he was not required to consult Congress on striking Syria, but predicted that Congress would pass a resolution authorizing the use of military force.
TPM is keeping track of where members of Congress stand on the Syrian intervention vote here.
