Obama Aid Request to Syria Rebels Tied to Funding Measure
By Heidi Przybyla, James Rowley and Kathleen Hunter Sep 17, 2014 11:39 AM ET
The U.S. Congress is on track to pass legislation by the end of this week to arm and equip Syrian rebels and also finance the federal government to avoid a repeat of last year’s 16-day partial shutdown.
The Republican-led House plans to vote today on President Barack Obama’s request for aid to Syrian rebels. Lawmakers are being asked to add the measure to a must-pass bill to finance the U.S. government through Dec. 11.
Then, the Senate is likely to vote on the measure as soon as tomorrow, with leaders from both parties expressing confidence that Congress will clear it for Obama’s signature.
“The president asked us to authorize the training of the Free Syrian Army” to fight Islamic State extremists, Boehner told reporters yesterday in Washington. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
Still, some House Democrats wary of the U.S. getting into another Middle East ground war expressed doubts after Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey told a Senate committee yesterday he would recommend that U.S. advisers accompany Iraqi troops in battle to combat Islamic State if necessary.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-16/u-s-aid-for-syria-rebels-will-pass-congress-leaders-say.html
