"As you go forward, will you consult with the United States Congress?"

Panetta replied, "You know, our goal would be to seek international permission. And we would come to the Congress and inform you and determine how best to approach this, whether or not we would want to get permission from the Congress."

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Rep Tim Walberg (R) MI-7 released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's testimony before the Senate Armed Services about indicating that he would "seek international permission" before any action relating to Syria rather than asking Congress for such authority.

"I believe Secretary Panetta's comments to the Senate Armed Services Committee were telling.  This Administration doesn't appear to believe Congress is to be consulted when it comes to military intervention.  As we learned in Libya, the President did not deem the Constitution, the War Powers Act, or the U.S. Senate as a check on his ability to go to war. The President should remember that he is bound by the legal authority of the United States, not the "permission" of the international community that the Secretary alluded to in his testimony.  I'm glad that Secretary Panetta has since clarified his remarks, and I hope that before engaging in any future military conflicts the Administration puts our country ahead of the interests of the international community."