Tom Rooney Looks to Stop Funds to Syrian Rebels

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., looked to end federal funds to the Syrian rebels.

Rooney added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ending funds to the rebels.

I have grave concerns about arming the rebels when the administration cannot adequately explain the vetting process, nor can they assure us these weapons wont end up in the hands of terrorists, Rooney said on Wednesday. The early results for this program have not been promising.

Additionally, if the president and supporters of his strategy want to make the case for this approach to the American people and their representatives in Congress, then they should do so through a full and open debate over a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), Rooney added. We should not use the NDAA to approve what I feel is a doomed strategy in Syria without so much as a debate or a stand-alone vote.