U.S. Resolution on Syria Sets Deadline, Bars Ground Forces

The Senate resolution authorizing U.S. President Barack Obama to use military force against Syria would bar American ground troops for combat operations and set a deadline for any action.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the draft resolution that the Foreign Relations Committee will vote on Wednesday.

The measure would set a time limit of 60 days and says the president could extend that for 30 days more unless Congress has a vote of disapproval.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee re-worded the resolution put forward by the White House to restrict it to "limited and tailored use of the United States Armed Forces against Syria, according to the copy of the draft.

The authorization provided by the resolution "shall terminate 60 days after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, except that the president may extend, for a single period of 30 days, such authorization" if he deems it necessary for the carrying out of such military operations, according to the measure.

"The authority granted in section 2 does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Syria for the purpose of combat operations," it added.

Committee chairman Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat who said he backs Obama's plan for the use of force against Assad's regime, and whose office crafted the measure with staff from ranking committee Republican Senator Bob Corker, said he expected a vote on the measure Wednesday.

"Our negotiations have led to a much narrower authorization that provides for the appropriate use of force while limiting the scope and duration of military action, prohibiting boots on the ground, and requiring the Obama administration to submit their broader plan for Syria," Corker said in a statement.