WASHINGTON, DC - Members of congress heard the Obama administration present what it says is new evidence that the Bashar al-Assad regime used deadly sarin gas against civilians in Syria.

On Sunday Rep. Tim Ryan (D - 13th Dist. OH) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R - 6th Dist. OH) joined their colleagues in Washington for a classified briefing where White House officials laid out their case to strike against Syrian military targets.

At a news conference held when he returned to the valley, Ryan addressed the President's decision to wait for input from congress before taking action.  "I really think this is a really noble and correct constitutional move that we should not be getting involved in these things without the consent of the American people.", said Ryan.

Congressman Johnson issued a statement after the briefing saying,"Given how important this Congressional briefing was for the President to make his case for taking military action in Syria, I was surprised that neither he, nor the Vice President, nor any cabinet level official was in attendance."

Johnson said the decision on whether or not to commit American troops and risk American lives when the United States is not directly threatened is a difficult one. "The President has the heavy burden of convincing the Congress and the American people of its merits. I left this afternoon's briefing with more questions and concerns than I had when I arrived.", said Johnson.

Congressman Ryan is also not ready to make a decision yet. "What reduces the chances of innocent people getting killed?" said Ryan. "That's what I really want to evaluate over the next week, because quite frankly, at this point, I don't think we can make the situation any better."

Ryan points out the issue is not over national interest, but a violation of international law.

"North Korea and other countries have chemical weapons. And so if no action is taken here, it's basically saying that anyone who has chemical weapons can use it and no one in the international community is going to do something." said Ryan.

The congressional briefing echoed the latest evidence that Secretary of State John Kerry has been reporting on the Sunday morning talk shows. Kerry says that hair and blood samples have tested positive for signatures of sarin.

As for speculation that Syrian rebels could have launched the gas attacks, Ryan says, "The President, the administration is saying this was Assad. We don't think any of the rebel groups had the capacity to do this launch and our intelligence is saying this was Assad."

Congress goes back into session September 9. Ryan says he is certain there will be many more briefings before lawmakers arrive at a vote.