House Passes CR

House lawmakers late this afternoon approved a continuing resolution by a 319-108 vote that would fund the government through December. They also approved an amendment introduced by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) by a 273-156 vote that would include money to train Syrian rebels.

McKeon put out the following statement:

"Today a bi-partisan majority of the House agreed to the President's request for authority to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces.  This authority would allow those forces to fight ISIL terrorists.  The President requested this authority and -  after we shaped it to include robust oversight mechanisms- the House gave it to him.  I hope the Senate quickly follows suit.

"While we voted to approve the authority in large numbers, none of us believe that this program alone can achieve the President's objective to 'degrade and destroy' ISIL. A more robust strategy will be required from the President to do that. I hope that, with the support of Congress and the American people, he adopts one."

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) had this to say:

"By authorizing the Department of Defense to help train and equip the Syrian opposition, this measure represents an important, initial step forward in taking on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). ISIL represents a direct threat to the safety and security of the United States, and House Republicans are firmly committed to doing everything we can to help keep America safe.

"This year, the House worked methodically to pass seven annual appropriations bills. Senate Democrats didn't even bother -- they passed zero. Unfortunately, that's the kind of inaction we've also seen from them on more than 40 House-passed jobs bills. This bill preserves previous spending reductions and keep the government running at current levels past the end of this month. And importantly, it ensures the ban on internet access taxes does not expire on November 1. I urge the Senate to act on it quickly."