Senator Pat Roberts says he doubts the U.S. can avoid a military strike in Syria following reports that its government used chemical weapons in the civil war there.

But the Kansas Republican also said Tuesday that President Barack Obama should address the nation and get the consent of Congress for military action.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Roberts told a Lawrence Chamber of Commerce luncheon he believes Congress would authorize military action by the Democratic administration.

Roberts said military action needs to be forceful enough to tip the balance of fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces.

The Kansas senator said he doesn’t “see any way out of” using military force, but he acknowledged that Americans are war-weary after conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com