U.S. House moves on Syria plan

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers raced Monday to authorize an expanded mission to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels before heading back to the campaign trail, with House Republicans preparing legislation backing a central plank of President Barack Obama’s strategy against the Islamic State group.

The Obama administration says the training operation is needed to establish credible, local ground forces to accompany U.S. airstrikes against the militants. The House and Senate are both on a tight schedule, looking to wrap up work Friday before an almost two-month recess in preparation for November’s midterm elections.

The authorization under consideration will likely be included as an amendment to a spending bill Congress must pass to keep the government open until mid-December. That would give lawmakers the opportunity to hold a separate debate and vote on the matter – something members of both parties want.

The measure doesn’t authorize U.S. combat troops in Iraq or Syria or explicitly ban them. It also compels the Pentagon to present Congress with a plan 15 days before any training begins, according to a summary released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif.

Democrats are reviewing the proposal, which would enable the military to take over what has previously been a limited, covert operation to beef up rebels battling extremist groups and President Bashar Assad’s army.

Republicans were to gather for internal talks this morning. A House vote could be held as early as Wednesday. The House Rules Committee voted late Monday to have six hours of debate on the amendment, once it is taken up. The Senate is expected to follow after a House vote.