Obama tasks Congress with Syria vote: 'We should have this debate'

Obama has decided to seek congressional approval for limited airstrikes on Syria to punish and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Syria next to Vice President Joe Biden (L) at the Rose Garden of the White House August 31, 2013, in Washington. Obama said on Saturday he had decided the United States should strike Syrian government targets in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack, but said he would seek a congressional vote for any military action. REUTERS/Mike Theiler (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX132WE
US President Barack Obama speaks about Syria next to Vice President Joe Biden (L) at the Rose Garden of the White House, Aug. 31, 2013. - REUTERS/Mike Theiler
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Laura Rozen
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As the world braced for imminent action, President Obama announced on Saturday that he had decided to seek Congressional approval before carrying out military action in Syria to punish and deter alleged chemical weapons use.

"After careful deliberation, I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets," Obama announced from the White House Rose Garden Saturday.

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