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House approves plan to assist Syrian rebels
By Deirdre Walsh, CNN Senior Congressional Producer
updated 6:00 PM EDT, Wed September 17, 2014
Washington (CNN) -- The House on Wednesday approved President Obama's request to arm and train Syrian rebels in the fight against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
With significant opposition to the proposal in both parties, the vote was 273 -156.
Many Republicans argue the strategy isn't tough enough to defeat ISIS; many Democrats worry the plan could drag the United States into another long military engagement.
The proposal would authorize the Pentagon to provide assistance to "appropriately vetted" members of the Syrian opposition and require the administration to give Congress a detailed plan for helping the rebels before that assistance could begin.
The Senate could vote as early as Thursday.
Congress is expected to debate a broader war authorization after the midterm elections.
The measure states the new authority does not include approval for "the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities..."
With significant opposition to the proposal in both parties, the vote was 273 -156.
With the memories of Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and several dozen little civil wars in my memory-- I actually thought the vote might be closer...