Credit: The White House(WASHINGTON) — The Senate approved President Obama’s plan to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels on Thursday, prompting President Obama to declare a united American front in the fight against ISIS militants.
“The strong bipartisan support in Congress for this new training effort shows the world that Americans are united,” Obama said in a televised statement from the State Dining Room. “I want to thank members of Congress for the speed and seriousness with which they approached this urgent issue — in keeping with the bipartisanship that is the hallmark of American foreign policy at its best.”
Obama called the program a “key element” of his strategy to combat ISIS, supporting non-American boots on the ground, “so that they can help push back these terrorists.”
The Senate voted 78-22 in favor of the plan, with support from 33 Republicans, including Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, to approve Obama’s plan. The House approved the measure on Wednesday.
The president also hailed the growing international coalition of “more than 40 countries, including Arab nations” — singling out France, which announced Thursday that it would join the U.S. in conducting airstrikes in Iraq.
“France is a strong partner,” the president said. “We’re pleased that American and French service members will work together.”
Obama reiterated the pledge he made Wednesday at CENTCOM: “American forces deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat missions. Their purpose is to advise on the ground,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing to expand American airstrikes into Syria, which administration officials have said could come any day.
Obama acknowledged that U.S. pilots will be at risk on those missions. “We salute our dedicated pilots and crews,” Obama said, “who are carrying out these missions with great courage and skill.”
He asked Americans to, “to keep our forces and their families in their thoughts and prayers.”
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