Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives said Tuesday they will back President Obama's plan to take military action against the Syrian government.
After a morning meeting with the president, Speaker John Boehner told reporters he would back Obama's call for action and encourage other representatives to do the same.
Boehner: I believe my colleagues should support the president’s call for action
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 3, 2013
Flanked by members of Congress before their meeting Tuesday morning, Obama said he has "high confidence that Syria used, in an indiscriminate fashion, chemical weapons that killed thousands of people, including over 400 children."
See also: Read the Full White House Report on Syria Chemical Attack
"This norm against using chemical weapons that 98% of the world agrees to is there for a reason," Obama said in remarks aired on CSPAN.
Senator John McCain, who met with the president to discuss the situation in Syria on Monday, quickly tweeted his support for Boehner's resolution.
Excellent statement by @SpeakerBoehner on #Syria
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) September 3, 2013
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor also said he will support Obama's plan.
I intend to vote to provide the President of the United States the option to use military force in Syria. http://t.co/kSB9kFlYOV
— Eric Cantor (@GOPLeader) September 3, 2013
In addition to receiving support from across the aisle, Obama also has backing from within his party.
"I believe the use of military force against Syria is both justified and necessary," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement released over the weekend. "Assad must be held accountable for his heinous acts, and the world looks to us for leadership."
Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday afternoon to lay out the administration's plan of action.
Image: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images