Obama Syria Reversal Sets Stage for Fights With Congress
By Lisa Lerer - Sep 12, 2013
President Barack Obamas relationship with Congress over Syria marked a notable departure -- consultation instead of confrontation.
It didnt last long.
When Obama announced in a Sept. 10 nationally televised speech that he was asking Congress to postpone the vote to authorize military action against Syria, it was the first time the two top House Republican leaders had been told of the presidents shift, a Republican congressional aide said -- even though theyd backed his unpopular proposal. The aide, who wasnt authorized to speak publicly, asked for anonymity.
The lack of official notice to House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia ahead of the speech was a sign that after the brief moment of unity, acrimony among the two sides was back in session.
And it comes at a perilous time, as Obama and congressional Republicans need to come to an agreement to avoid a government shutdown after the 2013 budget year ends on Sept. 30. The House plans to be in session only six working days before the deadline, and already Boehner and Cantor have delayed a vote on a spending proposal amid opposition by fellow Republicans who want the party to take a tougher stand against funding Obamas health-care law.
more...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-12/obama-syria-reversal-sets-stage-for-fights-with-congress.html