Syria strike won't prompt war vote in Congress

Friday’s military strike in Syria, which Defense Secretary Jim Mattis described as right now being "a one-time shot," won’t bring serious demands on Capitol Hill for a full-blown debate on reauthorizing the president to use military force abroad.

Those who control the floor schedules in the House and Senate and the committee agendas in the panels overseeing the matter said this week they have little interest in a vote — months out from an election — on a new bill authorizing the president to use military force.

Instead, they say President Trump had the authority to respond militarily to the chemical gassing of civilians in Syria by leader Bashar Assad.

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