CNN Guesses How the Syrian Debate Will Go In Congress This Week

[EmperorScorpious]

[quote]Washington (CNN) -- Congress returns to Washington on Monday after a monthlong summer break to jump right into debate and votes on a resolution giving President Barack Obama the authorization to strike Syria.

How this all will unfold over the coming week is far from certain, but here's how things could play out:

[B]MONDAY[/B]

• The House and Senate are in session at 2 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to take the first procedural steps to overcome an anticipated filibuster over whether to officially take up the Syria resolution. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who filibustered John Brennan's confirmation as CIA director earlier this year to protest Obama's drone policy, told Fox News on Sunday that he was weighing his options on how to stall the resolution.

[B]TUESDAY[/B]

• Obama takes his case for a strike on Syria to the American people when he addresses the nation at 9 p.m. ET.

[B]WEDNESDAY[/B]

• Should opponents filibuster whether to take up the Syria resolution, the first critical vote in the Senate could come today, requiring 60 votes to break the filibuster and move on to debate. If opponents lose the vote, they could still demand an additional 30 hours of debate on whether to take up the resolution.

[B]BEYOND?[/B]

• What follows could be dictated by complicated parliamentary rules, the legislative strategy of supporters and opponents and other unforeseen variables that could influence the timeline of the debate.

[B]AND IN THE HOUSE?[/B]

• Republican leaders who control the House have said they will act after the Senate but have been vague on a schedule. It's unclear whether the House would vote on the language in the Senate resolution or take up its own version.

Majority Leader Eric Cantor signaled in a memo to rank-and-file Republicans on Friday that debate could slip beyond next week.

"Members should expect a robust debate and vote on an authorization of use of military force pertaining to Syria in the next two weeks," he wrote.[/quote]

[url]http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/08/politics/syria-congess-week-ahead/index.html?hpt=hp_t1[/url]