U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) stressed a military strike against Syria is "morally" essential Monday as she headed to Washington.
She spoke of her disgust "as a mother," seeing video evidence of children and adult victims of an alleged chemical attack in that country.
"We are the only nation in the world that can respond and hold a leader like Assad accountable for this horrific attack," Wasserman Schultz told reporters at Miami International Airport. "It's absolutely essential that we not turn the other cheek."
She said she plans to vote in favor of a House resolution for a strike that does not commit "boots on the ground."
Across the Atlantic, Secretary of State John Kerry tried to make the same case with the British Foreign Secretary.
"This is humanitarian catastrophe of global proportions," said Kerry. "And the world needs to focus on it or we give license to other dictators or other groups in other parts of the world to engage in similar behavior and just make things worse for everybody."
Protesters across the U.S. and elsewhere are calling for America to stay out of Syria. President Obama is expected to address the nation Tuesday night to make his case for a strike.
A vote in the Senate could happen as early as Wednesday.
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