Proposed Train and Equip Authorities for Syria: in Brief

Publisher Marketing: The FY2015 continuing appropriations resolution (H. J. Res. 124, P. L. 113-164, CR), enacted on September 19, 2014, authorizes the Department of Defense through December 11, 2014, or until the passage of a FY2015 defense authorization act, to provide overt assistance, including training, equipment, supplies, and sustainment, to vetted members of the Syrian opposition and other vetted Syrians for select purposes. The current CR does not include any dedicated funding for this activity but authorizes DOD to submit reprogramming requests to the four congressional defense committees to transfer funds made available by the act. In order to continue any related programs beyond the expiration of the CR, Congress would have to extend the authority or include an amended version of it in new legislation. The provision was enacted in response to President Obama's request for authority to begin such a program as part of U. S. efforts to combat the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations in Syria and to set the conditions for a negotiated settlement to Syria's civil war. This report reviews the authority granted in H. J. Res. 124 and explores similarities and differences among the H. J. Res. 124 authority, the President's requests, and other proposals that may be considered by Congress, including during anticipated consideration of FY2015 full-year appropriations or defense authorization (H. R. 4435/S. 2410) legislation. For more information on the Islamic State crisis and U. S. policy, see CRS Report R43612, The "Islamic State" Crisis and U. S. Policy, by Kenneth Katzman et al., and CRS Report RL33487, Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U. S. Response, coordinated by Christopher M. Blanchard. For analysis of proposals related to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force relative to the Islamic State, see CRS Report R43760, A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Comparison of Current Proposals in Brief, by Matthew C. Weed.