42 percent of surveyers say they support using force in response to chemical weapons. | REUTERS Poll: Congress must OK Syria attack

Half of Americans say they oppose taking military action in Syria and nearly eight-in-10 think the president should get congressional authorization before using force, according to a new poll out Friday.

While only 42 percent say they support using force in response to the use of chemical weapons, the numbers flip when military action is defined as launching cruise missiles from naval warships — with 50 percent in favor and 44 percent opposing, the NBC News poll shows.


The poll also found 58 percent agree the use of chemical weapons by any country violates a “red line” that demands the U.S. respond, but 79 percent say they believe that President Barack Obama should receive congressional approval before any military action. Nearly seven-in-10 Democrats and 90 percent of Republicans told pollsters the president should get congressional authorization first.

( PHOTOS: Scenes from Syria)

As for whether taking action in Syria is in the U.S.’s national interest, just 21 percent say they think it is while 33 percent disagree. And 45 percent say they don’t have enough information to form an opinion.

Asked if the use of military force by the U.S. will help improve the situation for the Syrian people, respondents were not optimistic. Just 27 percent say it would make things better, with 41 percent telling pollsters U.S. military action would not.

The NBC News poll also found that Obama’s job-approval rating has dropped to 44 percent, tied for his lowest in the survey, and that his foreign policy marks are at an all-time low of 41 percent. Just 35 percent say they approve of how he is dealing with the conflict in Syria.

The Aug. 28-29 poll surveyed 700 adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.