President Obama’s surprise decision to seek congressional approval for a Syria strike puts the plan in the hands of the Republican-controlled House, but it’s far from clear the House will comply.

GOP sources say it is highly unlikely leadership will whip support for the proposal; such “votes of conscience” are typically left to members’ discretion.

While there is still plenty of time for Obama to make the case for war, lawmakers are still seeking answers to big questions, chief among them being what a strike would accomplish.