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Doggett Wants Obama To Get Congressional Approval Before Any Action In Syria

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San Antonio Congressman Lloyd Doggett is splitting with President Obama on what could soon be the bombing of Syria.

Doggett is a democrat party loyalist and was outspoken over President George W. Bush’s drive to invade Iraq without United Nation’s approval.

Now that Obama, a fellow Democrat, is in the White House, he said his views have not changed and Obama must get approval from Congress before using military force against Syria.

"I’ve joined in calling on the President to reconvene Congress if that’s necessary to discuss and debate this issue," Doggett said. "I don’t believe that I should hold the current administration of my party to any lesser standard that I would apply if Dick Cheney were asking for this authority."

Syria has been in a brutal civil war against populist forces trying to oust dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of using chemical weapons against civilians.

Obama said a military strike may be required to send a message to Assad that chemical weapons will not be tolerated, but Doggett said recent history has taught us about the complex entanglements of conflicts in the Middle East.

"Well, these conflicts are easier to get into than to get out of," Doggett said.

If the U.S. does bomb Syria it will be without ally Great Britain. The British Parliament voted against taking action against Syria, something Doggett says the U.S. Congress should have an opportunity to do.

David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi