The White House has sent a draft resolution to the US Congress to empower the US President to authorise the use of American military force in Syria with a narrow focus on interdicting use of chemical weapons by the Bashar al-Assad regime.
The draft resolution does not set any deadline for US action, but it authorises the US President Barack Obama to take all necessary action against the Assad regime for its use of chemical weapons against its own people.
The resolution sent yesterday asserts "the objective of the United States' use of military force in connection with this authorisation should be to deter, disrupt, prevent and degrade the potential for, future uses of weapons of mass destruction".
The resolution was sent to the US Congress hours after Obama sought a Congressional authorisation to his decision to go for a limited military strike against the Assad regime.
Both the US House of Representatives and the Senate are scheduled to come back from summer recess on September 9.
Soon after receiving the draft Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the decision to take military action is not one to be taken lightly.
Reid said the Senate will engage in this critical debate right away, beginning with public hearings and briefings for members next week.
"The Senate will vote on the resolution no later than the week of September 9th, as requested by the Obama administration. This will provide ample time for a robust public debate, while ensuring that this critical issue receives a vote in a timely fashion," he said.
Key Congressional committees announced to hold hearings on Syria next week.
The draft, 'Authorisation for the Use of Military Force', also notes that in the 2003 Syria Accountability and Lebanon Sovereignty Act, Congress that found "Syria's acquisition of weapons of mass destruction threatens the security of the Middle East and national security of the United States".
Earlier in the day, Obama announced his decision to go for a limited military strike in Syria, without the approval of the UN Security Council. The Pentagon has already placed its military assets in the region, with the top American commanders saying that they are ready for it.
The draft resolution notes that while the conflict in Syria will only be resolved through a negotiated political settlement, it called on all parties to the conflict in Syria to participate urgently and constructively in the Geneva process.
Meanwhile, Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said Obama will need to make his case to the American public and Congress.
"The Administration's Syria policy has been incoherent, and there are many unanswered questions, so I welcome the President's decision to seek congressional authorisation for any use of military force and look forward to a vigorous debate on this critical issue," he said.
"Any proposed US military response to the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons demands thorough and deliberate consideration," Royce said.
