Press Release

Earlier today, Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. voted for an amendment offered by Representative McKeon to train and equip appropriately vetted elements of the Syrian opposition and other appropriately vetted Syrian groups or individuals. Rep. Bera made the following comment:

"I swore an oath to protect Americans here at home and our interests abroad and, as a member Foreign Affairs Committee, I take that oath especially seriously. It is clear that ISIL poses a potentially dangerous national security threat and today I voted to give the President limited authority to train and equip Syria's moderate forces to combat ISIL. The short-term authority will allow us to assess progress and reaffirm the level of commitment from our regional allies. The United States must continue to be very clear that it is ultimately up to the countries in that region with their allies to achieve long-term stability and the President should continue to consult Congress on this important issue."