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A growing chorus of liberal Democrats is pushing President Obama to get Congress's explicit approval before launching missile strikes into Syria.

The pressure from supporters on Capitol Hill is not only a headache for Obama, but also puts House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top Democrats in the difficult position of bucking a broad segment of their own caucus in order to protect an ally in the White House.

Scores of Democrats had signed letters a year ago advocating against military strikes targeting the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad without congressional backing.

Thirteen months later the enemy has a new face, but a large number of those lawmakers say they remain committed to securing Congress's role in deciding matters of war, even as Obama is claiming unilateral authority to expand the fight against militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

A vote is necessary, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) told The Hill. The president is already empowered to act forcefully against those who murdered Americans, but he should seek congressional authorization to engage in the broader, sustained combat he envisions."

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) piled on.

It would be very reckless, in my view, for him to go in and start doing all this without getting a vote from the Congress, he told MSNBC recently.

Pelosi, a fierce opponent of the Iraq war under the George W. Bush, has toed the line between the liberal critics and Obama by urging a congressional debate on the use-of-force question, but stopping short of calling for a vote at least for now.

Whether we take a vote or not, we're not at that point because we believe the president has the authority, Pelosi told reportersThursday.

Speaker John Boehner has also avoided calls for a vote on use-of-force authority.

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Liberals press Pelosi, Obama for vote on Syrian air strikes

Senate Democrats Would Overturn Free Speech Protections to Silence Critics
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate Floor regarding Senate Democrats #39; attempt to limit free speech.

By: RepublicanLeader

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Senate Democrats Would Overturn Free Speech Protections to Silence Critics - Video

Hatch Slams Senate Democrats Latest Attack on Free Speech
September 9, 2014 Senate Floor.

By: SenatorOrrinHatch

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Hatch Slams Senate Democrats Latest Attack on Free Speech - Video

Jefferson County Democrats honor Mary Ann and Dennis Larsen with Lifetime Achievment award
Mary Ann and Dennis Larsen talk about the Eleanor Roosevelt lifetime achievement award.

By: UltimatePolitics

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Jefferson County Democrats honor Mary Ann and Dennis Larsen with Lifetime Achievment award - Video

When it comes to politics, Costco Wholesale has a well-deserved reputation as a Democratic-leaning corporation.

Company co-founders Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman have hosted President Obama at fundraisers in their lakefront mansions. Costco executives have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and causes over the past decade.

But in the key battle for control of the state Senate this year, top Costco brass miffed at Democrats over a liquor-fee dispute have essentially switched sides, backing the Republican Partys efforts to maintain and expand its majority coalition.

Employees and executives of the Issaquah-based retailer have donated more than $48,000 to Republicans and $17,000 to Democrats so far this year in state contests, according to filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC).

Thats a notable turnabout from recent elections. In 2012, Costco employees and executives gave $93,000 to Democrats and $21,000 to Republicans in state races. In 2010, $37,000 went to Democrats and just $750 to Republicans.

Kinda conspicuous, isnt it? said Sinegal, the former Costco CEO and current board member, who acknowledged the liquor fight in Olympia was at the heart of the shift in donations.

The realignment comes after Democrats stiff-armed an effort by Costco and allies to eliminate a 17 percent license fee on retailers selling liquor to restaurants.

Sinegal spoke at the Democratic National Convention two years ago and said he doesnt recall ever donating to a Republican before. (A search of election records suggests hes right.)

But in the state Senate, it was mostly Republicans who supported the proposed change to liquor laws backed by Costco, as well as other grocers and restaurants. Hence the political donations.

Weve had support from certain Republicans in the Legislature, and we thought it was appropriate. Its as simple as that, Sinegal said of the donations. Ive been supportive of Democrats in the past, and on a national basis continue to be.

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Costco execs turn tables on state Senate Democrats