Syria clears first hurdle: Senate committee approves resolution for strikes

In a 10-7 vote Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to authorize President Barack Obama to conduct a limited military operation against Syria.

The vote pushes the resolution to the full Senate. Majority leader Harry Reid said the hearing will begin September 9, when Congress reconvenes from recess.

The committee's action is the first hurdle for Obama in getting congressional support for strikes against Syria in retaliation for its use of chemical weapons.

Two men on the panel voted no, -- Tom Udall D-Utah and Chris Murphy D-Conn. -- saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has threatened to retaliate, which would lead the U.S. to over-involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The resolution supports using military force in a "limited and specified manner" against "legitimate military targets" during a 60-day period, with the potential for a 30-day extension.

The resolution does not authorize the use of U.S. ground troops in combat roles.