Republican Leaders Support Obama’s War Cry

President Barack Obama urged Congress to take a “prompt” vote authorizing military action against Syria and won support from the two top House Republicans even as two polls found opposition from the American public.

Backing from House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor will help Obama as he makes his case to lawmakers who’ve questioned the administration’s evidence that the Syrian government launched a sarin gas attack last month and whether the U.S. has a vital interest in Syria.

“The use of these weapons has to be responded to, and only the U.S. has the capability,” Boehner, of Ohio, said after a White House meeting called by Obama with congressional leaders and key committee members. “I’m going to support the president’s call for action and I believe my colleagues should support this call for action.”

Cantor, of Virginia, released a separate statement of support. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi also said she’ll back Obama, giving it a bipartisan cast. All three House leaders said they are leaving it up to the White House to persuade their members and won’t be pressing for votes.

While no U.S. president has ever been turned down by Congress when asking to use military force, opposition to Obama’s Syria strike plan crosses party and regional lines.

Obama still faces an “uphill battle” for congressional support, Boehner’s spokesman, Michael Steel, said in an e-mail.

Bloomberg

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