Report: Reid considering calling Senate back early

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is considering bringing the Senate back from recess early to consider military strikes against Syria to retaliate for alleged chemical weapons use, according to CNN.

{mosads}House leadership said Saturday that the lower chamber will consider granting President Obama authority to launch a military strike in Syria the week of Sept. 9, when Congress is scheduled to return from a five-week-long recess.

Some lawmakers have urged Obama to call for Congress to return early. While he committed to seeking congressional approval for a strike during his Saturday remarks, he stopped short of calling lawmakers back to Washington.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other members of his leadership team applauded Obama on Saturday for seeking the authorization, but made no mention of bringing Congress back early to consider it.

“Under the Constitution, the responsibility to declare war lies with Congress. We are glad the president is seeking authorization for any military action in Syria in response to serious, substantive questions being raised,” the statement from the GOP leaders said. “In consultation with the president, we expect the House to consider a measure the week of September 9th. This provides the president time to make his case to Congress and the American people.”

A House Republican leadership aide also said the onus for winning the vote would be on Obama.

“This vote is going to depend on the president making the case to Congress – and, more importantly, the American people,” the aide said. “We are also going to need complete, serious answers to the questions the Speaker and other have asked.”