Both chambers of Congress are on recess, and many of their members are far from Washington. But the distance did not stop some of them from responding to President Obama’s statement on Saturday afternoon that he would seek Congressional authorization before launching a military strike in response to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Many representatives and senators took to Twitter with their reactions.
Some lawmakers expressed gratitude for the president’s announcement that he would wait for them to debate and vote on a strike, including Representatives Billy Long, Republican of Missouri, and Yvette D. Clarke, Democrat of New York:
Others offered more measured words for the president, reflecting controversies over the extent of the executive branch’s powers. Representative Justin Amash, Republican of Michigan, who has taken a leading role in debates over government surveillance, summed up his gratitude this way:
And at least one congressman, Representative Randy Weber, a Republican who filled Ron Paul’s seat in Texas, used Twitter to solicit opinions on the president’s statement:
One question that remained unresolved was when Congress would debate and vote. With Congress out of session until Sept. 9, several lawmakers expressed their willingness to return early:
Whether the House and Senate leaders take them up on their offers remains to be seen. Either way, Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, warned, President Obama would face a difficult debate:
