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SALT LAKE CITY — Support for military action against Syria may be undecided for Utah members of legislation, and that includes members of Utah's congressional delegation.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, both said they would vote "no" to taking action in Syria based on the current knowledge they have of the situation.
Matheson said his concern centers on the U.S. acting alone.
"If there's going to be a global response, where many countries speak as one voice saying ‘We won't tolerate the use of chemical weapons,' that sure sounds like a better path to take than the U.S. going it alone," Matheson said. "Based on what I know now, I'll vote 'no.' I don't think there's a compelling argument for the U.S. to go it alone, despite the horrific acts that have gone on in Syria."
Many Democrats and Republicans have said they have similar concerns among others.
However, Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham are among those who want the President to go beyond a missile attack and oust the Assad regime.
Chaffetz said the president has not yet made the case to go to war with Syria — an action that could also spark a response from Israel and Russia.
"If there's a clear and present danger to the United States of America, of course we want the president of the United States to act decisively and swiftly, but I don't think there is a clear and present danger to the United States right now," Chaffetz said.
Rep. Chris Stewart said he was still undecided on the matter.
Stewart, Chaffetz and Matheson all indicated they are happy the President is now consulting congress, rather than making a unilateral decision as he did in taking action in Libya a few months prior.
