Portman cancels New Hampshire trip for Syria briefing

Sen. Rob Portman abruptly cancelled a trip to New Hampshire tomorrow and instead will attend a classified briefing on Syria. Portman, R-Ohio, who has been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential contender for 2016, was scheduled to engage in fund-raising help for New Hampshire Republicans.

The briefing is expected to include classified information on Syria’s apparent use of chemical weapons last month against its people, killing as many as 1,400. President Barack Obama has asked Congress to approve military action against the Syrian regime. Portman has yet to say how he will vote when the resolution reaches the Senate floor next week.