How Should Rep. Dan Lipinski Vote on Syria Attack?

President Barack Obama this weekend said he will let Congress decide whether to attack Syria after an alleged chemical weapons attack by Syrian President Bashar Assad that is reported to have killed more than 1,400 people and violated international rules of war.

Americans are "weary of war," the president said in his Saturday address to the public, so putting the decision in the hands of the people's representatives will be more in line with the country's democratic ideals.

"I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective," he said.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) visited his district last week and said he's open to giving the president the authority to attack as long as no ground troops are used.

“I am open to supporting a resolution giving the president the go ahead to act in Syria,” Lipinski said. “But the resolution needs to explicitly say no combat troops will be involved. He needs to put a limited period of time on any action.”

Lipinski further clarified his stance in a statement released this week: “I am happy that the President heeded the call I made - along with a large number of my House colleagues - that he consult with Congress before launching any military action in Syria. There is a serious humanitarian crisis in Syria and there is a threat that the conflict spreads. And the use of chemical weapons is a serious violation of prohibitions against the use of such weapons. But before I would approve the use of force I need to understand not only the proof of chemical weapons use, but also what military actions the President is planning and what the risks and benefits of these actions are in the short term and the long term.”

How do you think your congressman, Rep. Dan Lipinski, should vote? Do you believe any action will draw the U.S. into another Mideast conflict? Vote in the poll and share your views in the comments