Boehner, House GOP ready to back Obama in arming Syrian rebels

Congress, once reluctant to take a stand on fighting Islamic militants overseas, now appears eager to do so, as Republicans in the House largely backed President Obama’s proposal to arm Syrian rebels.

A vote could come as soon as next week, and House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday in public and private sessions that the country should unite behind the administration, even as questions persist.

“We only have one commander in chief,” Boehner said. “At this point in time it’s important that we give the president what he’s asking for.”

Members of both parties increasingly want to vote, not only on the White House request to train and equip Syrian fighters, but also on the president’s broader authority to engage the United States in what many expect will be a years-long military campaign against the extremist group Islamic State.

Obama said Wednesday that he believes he already has authority from Congress to conduct aerial strikes on militants in Iraq and Syira.

Administration officials told lawmakers in a closed briefing Thursday that the new counter-terrorism campaign is covered by the broad authority Congress granted President George W. Bush in 2001, after the Sept. 11 attacks, and in 2002, to enter the Iraq War.

Lawmakers, though, are increasingly uneasy about relying on those decade-old authorizations, which were passed by Congress before many of them were in office.

“There’s a question whether the president has the authority to bomb,” said Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.), a newer member of Congress. “I’m not so sure.”

First, though, lawmakers will return next week and probably face a vote on the administration’s request, under Title X of the Armed Services code, to train and equip foreign fighters in Syria.

“Our House Democratic caucus stands with the president,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), the minority leader.

Some opposition has come from both the left and right wings: liberals and libertarian-minded tea party members. But a large swath of lawmakers from both sides appear ready to vote in support.

Lawmakers are eager to vote before they leave at the end of the next week for an extended break before the November midterm election.

“It’s going to pass in a big way,” said Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.)

The question now before the House is whether the authorization for arming the Syrians will be attached to a must-pass spending bill, which Congress needs to approve by Sept. 30 to avert another government shutdown.

Alternately, many Republicans are insisting the provision receive a separate vote. House Armed Services Committee chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Bakersfield) drew applause when he suggested separate votes on the miltiary proposal and the spending bill.

As much as Obama was seeking what he described as a “buy-in” from Congress for his strategy, lawmakers appear to want similar support from voters back home.

“Let them separate them, have a debate publicly, so the American people can come along with us,” said Rep. Julie Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.).

The vote is likely to be difficult for some members in re-election battles this fall, and even some Democrats without races this year find the plan to arm Syrian factions – whose allegiances are often blurred – too risky.

“Too much can go wrong. This tactic could backfire and be counterproductive to our goal of eliminating ISIS,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said, using a common acronym for Islamic State.

Since the House has had more difficulty in approving measures, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the Senate would wait for the House to act first.

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