Harry Reid files Syria resolution

Harry Reid files Syria resolution

The Senate on Friday formally filed a resolution that would authorize President Barack Obama to launch military strikes in Syria, a move that sets up a series of votes on the high-stakes measure next week.

The move sets up a procedural vote on the resolution next Wednesday. Until then, senators will continue to get briefed by top administration officials — one classified session is scheduled for Monday evening.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) predicted that the resolution would narrowly pass.

“Well, I think we are going to have 60 votes. It’s a work in progress,” Reid said.

On the floor, Reid kept his comments brief, noting that “many, many people have been killed” in the Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack that the Obama administration says was perpetrated by the Assad regime.

Reid also thanked Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the panel’s top Republican for their “tremendous model of bipartisanship and cooperation” in drafting the resolution.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/harry-reid-files-syria-resolution-96377.html?hp=bn