(Obama speaking on Syria/screen shot, Fox News, Brianna Sacks)

While the President has yet confirm a military attack, or say what course of action he will take to the reported use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, many members of Congress demand a say in the decision. 

However, Congress has not formally declared war since World War II. U.S. military actions in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya were all conducted without any formal declaration of war.

The decision to bypass Congress on military action started with President Harry Truman in 1950 when he sent U.S. forces into Korea, according to ABC News. Truman defended his decision by saying it aligned with the recommendations of the United Nations.

“There is no greater decision for a country to make than the decision to go to war,” said Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA3). “For that reason, the President has the responsibility to seek authorization from our nation’s elected leaders before initiating military action. Our leaders in Congress have a similar responsibility to the American people to demand this constitutionally-required authority and to evaluate any potential U.S. military intervention abroad. 

CBS News reported that to launch an assault against the Assad regime that meets domestic legal standards, Mr. Obama's actions would have to pass constitutional muster and meet the statutory requirements set by the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

"As we have said, if the president believes this information makes a military response imperative, it is his responsibility to explain to Congress and the American people the objectives, strategy and legal basis for any potential action," said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "We – and the American people – look forward to more answers from the White House."

Although Obama is the Commander-in-Chief, Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war. However, Obama's administration has not shied away from overriding Congress and taking some independent military action, such as in Libya and with drone strikes. 

Obama administration justified its decision to not request congressional approval beforehand by citing the 1973 War Powers Act, which allows the administration to conduct military activities for 60 days without first seeking a declaration of war from Congress.

Some members of Congress constructed a bipartisan letter urging the President to seek Congressional authorization. 

Congressman John Culberson tweeted, "It is not only unacceptable but it is unconstitutional for President Obama to intervene in Syria without formal Congressional approval."