House passes rule to debate CR and Syria amendment

The House on Tuesday passed a rule to set up floor consideration of a stopgap funding bill and amendment to authorize arming Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Passage of the rule fell largely along party lines, 221-192. Five Democrats voted for the rule: Reps. Ron Barber (Ariz.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Mike Michaud (Maine), Scott Peters (Calif.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.). Michaud is running for governor, while the others are in tough reelection races.

{mosads}Meanwhile, six libertarian Republicans voted against the rule: Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Kerry Bentivolio (Mich.), Mo Brooks (Ala.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Walter Jones (N.C.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.).

Debate time for the measure will be exceptionally lengthy. The rule allocates one hour of general debate on the underlying stopgap funding bill, or continuing resolution, and six hours for the amendment regarding the Syrian rebels.

Such elongated debate time underscores the magnitude of the issue, as six hours for any one measure, let alone a single amendment, is rare.

The House will proceed with the hour of general debate and three to four hours of amendment debate on Tuesday. Remaining debate will be completed Wednesday before the expected vote. 

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said he would vote against the amendment because he thinks Congress should vote on a full authorization of military force instead.

“We’re talking about war,” McGovern said. “Anything else would continue yet another failure on the part of this House to carry out its constitutional duties.”

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who supports the amendment, said he would be open to a vote on authorizing military force. But leaders have indicated that such a vote is highly unlikely with the midterm elections around the corner.

“I’d be prepared to do it before the election. I see no particular need in waiting, but I don’t get to make that decision,” Cole said.