What To Do In Syria? Where Missouri Stands In Congress

As members of Congress conduct hearings and get briefings related to President Barack Obama's request to authorize the use of military force in Syria over that country's alleged use of chemical weapons on its own people, Patch is taking the pulse of Missouri's delegation in Congress.

Senate

Over the weekend, The St. Louis Beacon reported that Senator Claire McCaskill's office issued a statement indicating that the use of chemical weapons "crosses a line," and urged a deliberate and proportional response in conjunction with U.S. allies. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday that McCaskill, a Democrat, had not yet indicated her support for a military action but supported the President's move to seek congressional approval. The Beacon reports that GOP Senator Roy Blunt also supports the President's move to seek congressional backing, but said it should have happened sooner.

House

Staff for Representative William "Lacy" Clay's office told Patch that the St. Louis Democrat would not have a statement on the issue until after congressional debate on the resolution. Republican U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer told the Post-Dispatch that he was "very reluctant to support this because, at this point, I do not see an outcome that is in everybody's best interest. I think we're getting ourselves mired in another mess." Republican Representative Ann Wagner issued a statement reported by KSDK-TV that said in part, "I do not believe the President or his Administration have made the case to Congress or more importantly the American people for military action in Syria at this time."

You Tell Us: Do you support U.S. military action in Syria?