A Senate panel has voted to approve a resolution giving President Obama the authority to carry out punitive strikes against Syria its use of chemical weapons against the opposition.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the authorization by a 10-7 vote, with one senator voting present. It would need to be passed by a vote of the full Senate to come into force. That is likely to happen next week.
The vote markes the first time lawmakers have voted to authorize military action since the October 2002 vote giving President George W. Bush authority to invade Iraq.
The authorization was crafted by the committee's top lawmakers -- Democratic Chairman Bob Menendez and Republican Bob Corker.
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