Congress Passes Bill To Arm Syrian Rebels And Avert Gov’t Shutdown

United States President Barack Obama, center, speaks to the media as he meets with Members of Congress on foreign policy including U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican of Kentucky), right, and U.... United States President Barack Obama, center, speaks to the media as he meets with Members of Congress on foreign policy including U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican of Kentucky), right, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat of Nevada), left, in Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, July 31, 2014. The U.S. might move to limit derivatives trading and short-term loans with Russian companies if sanctions already imposed fail to sway President Vladimir Putin to end support for rebels in eastern Ukraine. Credit: Andrew Harrer / Pool via CNP - NO WIRE SERVICE - Photo by: Andrew Harrer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS

Congress completed passage of legislation on Thursday to keep the government funded through Dec. 11 and permit President Barack Obama to arm and train Syrian rebels.

The Democratic-led Senate passed the bill by a vote of 78-22. It was approved a day earlier by the Republican-led House.

The legislation now goes to Obama’s desk for his signature.

The Syria language was requested by the president as part of his strategy to “destroy” the radical Islamic group ISIS.

Prior to the vote, the Senate rejected a motion by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to force a vote on an amendment to prohibit Obama from expanding his deportation relief program. That vote was 50-50. Five Democrats joined Republicans: Sens. Kay Hagan (NC), Mary Landrieu (LA), Mark Pryor (AR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Joe Manchin (WV). The first four are up for reelection in competitive races this fall.

Correction: The Senate initially misreported the number of votes for the bill. It is 78, not 73. This article has been updated to reflect that.