Senators could vote on Syria force next week if diplomacy fails

[ProSense]

Senators could vote on Syria force next week if diplomacy fails

By Patricia Zengerle

(Reuters) - Lawmakers said on Wednesday the Senate could start voting on a resolution to authorize the use of military force against Syria as soon as next week if efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis fall short.

A resolution authorizing strikes against Syria had been expected to come before the full Senate for a vote this week. But it was delayed after President Barack Obama asked lawmakers to wait for the outcome of a Russia-backed diplomatic initiative under which Syria would give up its chemical weapons.

Senators said on Wednesday they would move ahead with a vote if necessary, saying they felt the continued threat of force would pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"That would be a decision made with the administration on strategy as to the timing of Senate action. I think it could be next week... I would not rule out next week," Senator Ben Cardin, a senior Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/11/us-syria-crisis-usa-congress-idUSBRE98A15J20130911

[Scurrilous]

1. K & R

[Junkdrawer]

2. Kissinger is on the job. Think it will take THAT long to kill peace?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3646267

And then there's this:

Alternative Syria Resolution Being Negotiated In The Senate

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of senators is working on an alternative resolution to the situation in Syria that would allow time for the pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The exact language of the resolution is still being hammered out, but a source familiar with the negotiations said that three general points would be pursued: The United Nations would be asked to pass a resolution saying that the Syrian government used chemical weapons; the United Nations would also be required go in and remove all of Syria's chemical weapons by a certain date; and, finally, if the first two points are not met, U.S. military force would be authorized for use in Syria. The specifics of that authorization were still being negotiated as of Tuesday morning.

A replacement resolution along these lines could get the support needed to pass the upper chamber, whose members have been souring on the idea of a limited military strike. On Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced that he would vote no on an authorization for use of military force. On Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pulled a vote on that authorization amid concerns that it wouldn't have the 60 members necessary for passage.

Senators involved in negotiations for a replacement resolution include John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.). In addition, both Obama administration officials and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) have been involved in discussions.

....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/syria-resolution_n_3899899.html

So much for a UN resolution....