President Barack Obama walks back to the Oval Office with Vice President Joe Biden, right, after making a statement about the crisis in Syria in the White House Rose Garden in Washington Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Obama said he has decided that the United States should take military action against Syria in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack. But he said he will seek congressional authorization for the use of force. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says the president’s role as commander in chief is strengthened when he has the support of lawmakers.
McConnell made the comment in a statement confirming President Barack Obama’s announcement that he had told congressional leaders he wanted to punish Syria for a chemical weapons attack but would first seek congressional approval.
Lawmakers had widely called for Obama to include Congress in the decision under the War Powers Act.
