Secretary of State John Kerry said in a Senate hearing Tuesday there would be additional support to the opposition that he believes will increase if no action is taken by the United States.
Counterrorism expert and University of Florida Political Science professor Zachary Selden says the credibility of the United States is on the line as Congress considers whether to pursue military action against Syria.
"Perfectly reasoned and respectable case being made to say that this isn't our fight."
However, Professor Selden says once you've involved the release of chemical weapons which are banned by international conventions then you've crossed the line. He believes there will be repercussions if the United States doesn't take military action in Syria. But he's also concerned that a limited military strike may not be enough to deter other countries from taking similar actions.
"If Assad gets away with this it sends a very clear message that they, too, can get away with this in the future."
Selden says not responding sends a clear message to countries that pose a threat to American interests, such as Iran and North Korea.
Local Congressmen Ted Yoho and Ron DeSantis both oppose U.S. military action in Syria. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, voted against military action. Meanwhile, Florida Senator Bill Nelson's office says he will support military action.