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A large group of House conservatives unveiled legislation Wednesday providing expanded tax breaks for consumers who purchase their own insurance and increasing the government funding for high-risk pools, the Republicans' first comprehensive alternative to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise has become Louisiana's latest congressman to reject the idea of a U.S. military strike on Syria.

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, said any action against Syria must be considered in terms of what is in the best interest of the U.S. and its allies in the region, especially Israel."The authorization to use limited military force should depend on clear military objectives and policy goals, and I look forward to the debate after these details have been laid out by the administration," said Scalise, who represents southern portions of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, also called for limited engagement."With Syria in the middle of a civil war, any action taken by the United States must be carefully considered in terms of what is in the best interests of our nation and our close allies in the region including Israel," Scalise said. "It's vital that President Obama, as Commander in Chief, consult with our military generals in the field and with Congress before responding to the latest turmoil in Syria."

With two fellow delegation members in the process of stepping down, Congressman Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, may be uniquely positioned to not only ramp up Louisiana's influence on the Hill, but also become an inside political player himself on everything from policy to House leadership.