Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers said Friday he is leaning against giving Congressional approval for a U.S. military strike in Syria.

Rogers, of Somerset, said he had not entirely made up his mind. Rogers said he plans to attend a classified briefing on the issue next week and will have a better idea after that.

"I've got great reservations about sparking a fire in a tinderbox part of the world," said Rogers, chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

President Obama has called for a U.S. military strike in response to a chemical-weapons attack last month that killed 1,400 people by some estimates, including hundreds of children.

Administration officials have said there is clear evidence the Syrian government launched the attack in its war with rebels trying to topple the regime.

Obama wants the Senate and House to approve the use of U.S. force in Syria.

Rogers said that if sentiment in the House doesn't change, he would be surprised if the entire body would approve a resolution allowing Obama to launch a strike in Syria.