WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress’ deep reservations about President Barack Obama’s push to train and arm vetted Syrian rebels were on full display Thursday as Democrats and Republicans on a Senate panel grudgingly backed the administration’s plan.

The Appropriations Committee endorsed Obama’s proposal to spend $500 million for a Pentagon-run program that would broaden previous covert operations to equip rebels fighting forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad and Sunni extremists. The money is contained in a $549.3 billion defense spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

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