Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Senate Approves Measure To Arm And Train Syrian Rebels

The Senate joined the House on Thursday in rare bipartisanship by approving a measure to train and equip members of the Syrian opposition.

The Senate passed the measure 78 to 22; the House passed its version with a 273-to-156 vote on Wednesday. The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama's signature.

The measure is part of the United States new military offensive against the so-called Islamic State. In his prime-time speech to the country earlier this month, President Obama called on Congress to approve this training mission.

Advertisement

Reuters reports that the legislation "also temporarily keeps the government running in the fiscal year that starts on Oct. 1."

Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.