U.S. Congress Approves Arming Syrian Rebels

The U.S. Capitol Building is pictured in Washington, February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed

House Approves Arming Syrian Rebels To Fight Islamic State -- Wall Street Journal

Amendment to Stopgap Spending Bill Passes With 273-156 Vote

WASHINGTON—The House on Wednesday approved a measure to train and arm Syrian rebels, in the first broad test of congressional sentiment about President Barack Obama's plans to expand U.S. military engagement in the Middle East.

The measure, which passed 273-156, was an amendment to a bill to fund the government until Dec. 11. The House was expected to vote on the spending bill shortly after passing the amendment.

The vote followed a six-hour debate that reflected ambivalence among lawmakers who want to stop the violent Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, but are reluctant to restart military action in a part of the world that they thought the U.S. had exited. Others worry that arming Syrian rebels for combat will backfire, with weapons ending up in the wrong hands and further inflaming tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, a set of Republicans is concerned the strategy doesn't go far enough.

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More News On The U.S. Congress Approving The Arming Of Syria's Rebels

House Votes to Authorize Aid to Syrian Rebels in ISIS Fight -- NYT
House Passes Bill to Train and Equip Syrian Rebels -- Time
House OKs arms for Syrian rebels to combat ISIS -- CBS
U.S. House backs plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels -- Reuters
House approves arms, training for moderate Syrian rebels -- FOX News
House Approves Measure to Arm and Train Syrian Rebels -- Defense One/National Journal
White House 'gratified' by vote -- The Hill
Why Congress moved so fast on Syria: It's the election, stupid -- Francine Kiefer, CSM
Here's Who Voted to Fund Syrian Rebels and Get This ISIS Conflict Really Cooking -- Slate