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House Members Get Syria Debate Started

Though they are not due to officially convene until next week, House lawmakers sent clear signals on Labor Day that they were ready to return to work.

In the morning, 127 House Democrats tuned into a conference call with Secretary of State John Kerry and White House officials to be briefed on the evolving situation in Syria and the need for U.S. intervention there.

On Tuesday, House chairmen and ranking members on the committees of jurisdiction will meet at the White House to discuss next steps along with their Senate counterparts.

Sources confirm that House leaders are also expected to attend that meeting, including Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md.

Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., announced that his panel will hold a Wednesday hearing to discuss the Obama administration’s request that Congress vote to authorize the use of military force against Syria, which has been accused by the U.S. and other countries of using deadly sarin gas against its own people.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled a Tuesday hearing.

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