Obama to seek arms, training for moderate Syrian opposition, pursue broader strategy on militants

WASHINGTON (AP) — Administration officials say President Barack Obama will ask Congress to quickly authorize the arming and training of moderate Syrian opposition forces but will press forward without formal sign-off from lawmakers on a broader military and political effort to fight Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

Obama is scheduled to outline his plans in a rare prime-time address to the nation Wednesday.

The president huddled with congressional leaders at the White House ahead of his address. Following an hourlong discussion, the White House said Obama told lawmakers that he “has the authority he needs to take action” against the Islamic State militants but would still welcome action from Congress that would “aid the overall effort and demonstrate to the world that the United States is united in defeating the threat.”

However, some lawmakers are suggesting a congressional vote on the president’s plans is unlikely before the midterm elections in November. House Armed Services Committee chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon says he doesn’t think there’s enough to time to “have a full debate.”

%@AP Links

APPHOTO DCEV101: President Barack Obama meets with Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, to discuss options for combating the Islamic State. From left are, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, the president, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (9 Sep 2014)

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