Congress wants to hear Trump plans on Syria; debate on use of military force looming

Most members of Congress have praised President Trump’s missile strike Thursday against a Syrian regime airfield used to stage for this week’s chemical weapons attack — but lawmakers say the White House needs to quickly detail its plans for what comes next.

The cruise missile strike was the proportionate response to the Syrian regime’s action, most members of Congress said.

But they are worried about the next steps, and appear anxious to pin down the policy of a president who just days ago was saying he wasn’t concerned about the Assad regime.

“We cannot stand by in silence as dictators murder children with chemical weapons,” said Reps. Steve Russell and Seth Moulton, an Oklahoma Republican and Massachusetts Democrat who are chairmen of the Warrior Caucus of combat veterans in Congress. “But military action without clear goals and objective gets us nowhere. We look forward to hearing the president present a plan for Syria to the American people, for Congress to agree on bipartisan action, and for America to partner with the world community to help bring this treacherous conflict to an end.”

Mr. Trump acted under his powers as commander in chief, which according to the War Powers Resolution give him permission to commit the U.S. military to short periods of action, as long as he reports back to them and keeps them informed.

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