Obama: U.S. strike seeks congressional debate and vote

 President Barack Obama has decided the United States should strike Syrian government targets in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack, and is seeking a congressional debate and vote to consider any military action, Reuters reported.

 The deadly attacks in and around Damascus occurred on August 21, and reportedly killed more than 1,400 people, including more than 400 children, according to U.S. intelligence findings. 

The United Nations is still investigating the exact nature and type of weapons that were used, but their investigation would not determine who used them.

 Earlier this past week, Britain's House of Commons struck down a key vote that would have allowed Prime Minister David Cameron to pursue future military actions. In his statement on Saturday, Obama referenced this vote, which may have in some way influenced his decision to pursue congressional favor in the U.S.

 “We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus,” Obama said in statement at the White House Rose Garden, Reuters said.