Four of Connecticut’s five members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday against President’s Obama’s plan to help arm and train moderate Syrian rebels in their fight against the extremist group known as the Islamic State. The measure was approved by the House by a vote of 273 to 156.
Congressman Joe Courtney serves on the House Armed Forces Committee, and was the only member of the state's delegation to support the $500 million amendment. Speaking on the House floor, Courtney stressed that the measure only authorizes assistance until mid-December.
"We will lose control once the [rebels] re-enter the Syrian battle space."
Sen. Chris Murphy
"I think people should not overthink and overstate the consequences of this vote," said Courtney. "What it provides, is for America to stand-up with regional allies, European allies to begin the process of degrading and ultimately destroying a barbaric force which threatens stability both in the Middle East and ultimately America's national interests."
The rest of Connecticut's House delegation voted against the measure. In a statement, Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) said that despite his vote, he still supports "an aggressive counterterrorist strategy," but he's not comfortable with arming the rebels. "I am deeply concerned that funding a proxy group of Syrian rebels who are acting in America’s name will make the United States a principal player in what is essentially a Sunni-Shia civil war."
Likewise, Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) said there are "too many troubling and unanswered questions about the capabilities, intentions, and even priorities of the Syrian opposition forces."
"I think the administration is putting together as air-tight a plan as possible to try to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys but we will lose control once they re-enter the Syrian battle space," said Murphy.
Information included from New England Public Radio.
