On Syria, Obama faces questions on Congress\\\' role

President Barack Obama faces a familiar question as he contemplates airstrikes in Syria: Should Congress have a say in his decision? Obama was barreling toward strikes last summer when he abruptly announced that he first wanted approval from congressional lawmakers. But Congress balked at Obama's request for a vote and the operation was eventually scrapped. This time around, the White House is suggesting it may not be necessary to get a sign-off from Congress for airstrikes. While cautioning that Obama has made no final decisions, officials say there is a difference between last year's effort to attack Syria's government in retaliation for chemical weapons use and a bombing campaign against Islamic State militants that is now under consideration. ‘What we're talking about now is confronting a terrorist group that has sought safe haven in Syria,’ White House spokesman Josh Earnest said when asked about the prospect of Obama again seeking congressional authorisation. ‘This is a group that poses a threat to Americans in the region and could potentially, down the line, pose a broader threat to American interests and our allies around the globe,’ according to AP.