22 House lawmakers demand say in approving Syria military strike

Nearly two dozen House members have signed onto a letter demanding President Obama consult Congress — and wait for its authorization — before launching military strikes against Syria.

{mosads}“Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution,” wrote Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.).

The congressman also wrote that the president’s decision to authorize the 2011 U.S. military in Libya without Congress’s green light was unconstitutional.

“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your convenience,” he wrote. 

Congress is slated to return Sept. 9 but the Obama administration has signalled action against President Bashar Assad may be imminent.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 22 House members had co-signed Rigell’s letter, including one Democrat, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (Texas). 

List of co-signers:

Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.)

Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.)

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.)

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.)

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.)

Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.)

Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.)

Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.)

Rep.  Steve Pearce (R-N.M.)

Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.)

Rep Justin Amash (R-Mich.)

Rep. Raul Labrabor (R-Idaho)

Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.)

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.)

Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.)

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.)

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.)

Rep.  Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)

Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.)

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.)

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)

Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas)

Rigell Letter to Obama Requesting that Congress Approve Action in Syria