US Congress May Push Back Vote on Obama’s ’Daesh’ Attack Plan

Local Editor

American Republican lawmakers may push a vote on training and equipping Syrian "moderate" rebels until next week or beyond in order to debate US President Barack Obama's strategy to defeat militant extremists in Iraq and Syria.

Several US House Republicans emerged from a caucus meeting on Thursday to say a possible quick vote on authorizing the military to empower vetted, "moderate" Syrian rebels was looking less likely.

"We may end up being here an extra week," congresswoman Marsha Blackburn told reporters. "It's important to address this and it's important to get it right."

Lawmakers are set to leave Washington as early as next Thursday and hit the campaign trail until the mid-term congressional elections on November 4. That leaves only a few days to work through Obama's strategy, which includes expanding US air strikes into Syria.

The Pentagon has already been waging an air campaign against extremist positions in Iraq. The White House and top lawmakers agree that Obama has the authority necessary to conduct such attacks in Syria.

Yet, Obama wants cover from Congress in the form of authorization for building up "moderate" rebel forces inside Syria who could help defeat Daesh, according to him.

However, some conservatives stressed Obama's strategy fell well short of what is needed to defeat Daesh.
"This isn't going to work," congresswoman Michele Bachmann said of Obama's plan to build up "moderate" rebels, noting that previously vetted groups have spoken openly this year about cooperating with Daesh instead of fighting them.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team