President Obama prepared for the possibility of launching a U.S. military action against Syria within days, even as Britain Thursday opted out in a vote by Parliament.

The Department of Homeland Security appeared headed for a partial shutdown Friday as House leaders failed to garner enough votes to pass a stopgap measure to keep the agency funded for three more weeks.

The bill would reinstate unemployment benefits that expired Dec. 28 because Congress failed to act before the holiday break.

According to the White House, the president updated the congressmen on the administration's efforts to urge Iraq's leaders to set aside sectarian agendas and bring the country together.

The senate gathers to reach a Patriot Act compromise before the law expires at midnight on Sunday.