Rep. King: Obama can take action in Syria without authorization from Congress

REP. PETER KING (R-NY): Well, first of all, I agree with Buck McKeon. I think the president should not have set a red line unless he knew what he was going to do. We can’t arbitrarily set red lines or lay out threats unless we know what we’re doing and why we’re going to do it. But having drawn that red line, we have no choice, I feel, now, but to take firm and strong action and, again, Syria and Assad, he’s an evil person and a horrible tyrant and a menace to the entire region, but again, my other concern is I’m not sold on the rebels either. They just have too much al Qaeda influence. …

YELLIN: Finally, have you been consulted by the White House? Have you gotten any kind of call?

KING: No, I have not. Let me make it clear. I believe the president can take the action without authorization from the Congress. I believe as commander-in-chief he has the right to take this action. It’s in his interest to consult with the leadership in the House and Senate, but I don’t believe he has to.