House Speaker John A. Boehner said Congress should approve President Obama’s request for money to equip and train Syrian rebels, but said that’s only the beginning of a strategy to destroy the Islamic State.
“At this point in time, it’s important we give the president what he’s asking for,” the Ohio Republican said.
On Wednesday night, Mr. Obama asked Congress for money and authority to aid one faction of Syrian rebels who are battling against the Assad regime, the Islamic State and other Islamic militants. Mr. Boehner said they are “about to get run over” if they don’t get assistance.
But Mr. Boehner said arming the rebels and continuing U.S. airstrikes on targets is not a comprehensive or quick enough strategy to achieve the goal Mr. Obama laid out, which was to destroy the Islamic State.
Congress is grappling with how to respond to Mr. Obama’s plans. A vote on authorizing the training and money for rebels is likely sometime this month, before Congress goes home to campaign for November’s elections. But any further action authorizing an even broader strategy of airstrikes is uncertain.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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