By Ed O'Keefe
Ed O'Keefe
Reporter focused on Congress, national politics and the federal government

There appears to be notable bipartisan support for a formal congressional resolution authorizing a U.S. military strike on Syria, now that more than 50 House Democrats have signed a letter calling on President Obama to ask lawmakers for a sign-off.

The letter, written by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), warns that ongoing human rights violations in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war -- especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."

The letter also calls on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council "to build international consensus" condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons.

Lee's letter has at least 52 co-signers, meaning that her letter, along with a similar letter drafted by Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) that has more than 110 cosigners from both parties, have been endorsed by more than 170 lawmakers -- about 40 percent of the House.