Pelosi won't whip members over the resolution, but its passage may rely on her caucus. Pelosi writes second letter to Dems

Continuing an effort to address the concerns of Democrats, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a second letter to her members trying to sway them to support a strike on Syria.

“Our continuing discussion on the appropriate response to the Syrian government’s actions is affected by Congress not being in session,” Pelosi wrote. “However, this week is an important one in our discussion of what House Members are willing to support.”


It is the second letter Pelosi (D-Calif.) has sent this week, appealing to her members on the Syria front. On Tuesday, the minority leader wrote to her caucus expressing the importance of approving a resolution to authorize a strike.

While Pelosi has insisted that she won’t whip members on an eventual resolution, her caucus may be on the hook for a majority of the votes needed to pass an authorization since a majority of Republicans are likely to oppose it.

Pelosi also acknowledged concerns she had received in response to her first correspondence.

“Responses included suggestions to add language to prevent boots on the ground, to tie the authorization more closely to the use of chemical weapons and to address concerns about an open-ended timetable,” she wrote. “Chairman [Steve] Israel has suggested language along these lines, and Congressmen Chris Van Hollen and Gerry Connolly have also put forward a proposal.”

Pelosi emphasized that President Barack Obama needs to make the case for the strike.

“The House Democratic leadership joins Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Dutch Ruppersberger in encouraging you to read the classified intelligence report, which will be made available every day of the week for your review,” she wrote. “I also appreciate your suggestions and comments regarding the need to educate the American public.”