Senate Republicans say they will support President Obama’s request to arm and train Syrian rebels fighting the terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, even if some of their GOP colleagues in the House have significant reservations.
“I’ll be voting for the continuing resolution, assuming it comes over as we think it is from the House,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters Tuesday, referring to the spending bill that will include authorization to support the Free Syrian Army.
Other Senate Republicans agree with McConnell’s position, prompting their leader to predict the measure will pass this week.
“It looks like the chances are pretty good this will be the last week we’re here” in session before Congress breaks until after the November elections, he said.
McConnell added he is particularly pleased with a provision in the measure that sunsets the president’s Syrian authorization either on Dec. 11 — when the spending bill that funds the federal government expires — or the passage of the annual Defense Authorization Bill.
“Even though I support what the president is doing, I’d like to take another look at it a couple of months from now to see how it’s working out, and that would give the Congress time to revisit that issue later this year,” McConnell said.
Meanwhile, dozens of House Republicans have hinted they may oppose the president’s request to support the Syrian rebels. But a coalition of Democrats and Republicans likely will pass the legislation in the lower chamber before sending it to the Senate.
