THE HILL: Unclassified Syria briefing exposes rifts among key lawmakers.

Thursday night’s briefing by top Obama administration officials exposed divisions among key lawmakers on what to do in Syria.

Lawmakers on the unclassified conference call said the officials made it clear that President Obama is still weighing his options but believes “beyond a doubt” that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces used chemical weapons “intentionally” in an attack last week that rebels say killed more than 1,000 people.

They left convinced that Assad’s forces were responsible for using chemical weapons, and that Obama should respond. But they were split on the timeline, with some calling for an immediate and forceful response while others said the president must make his case to the American people.

“The views of Congress are important to the President’s decision-making process,” the White House said in a statement after the call, “and we will continue to engage with Members as the President reaches a decision on the appropriate U.S. response to the Syrian government’s violation of international norms against the use of chemical weapons.”

Of course, consulting with Congressional leaders isn’t the same as consulting with Congress. While it’s polite, it has no legal or constitutional relevance.