U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Biloxi, opposes sending arms to Syrian rebels

The 273-156 vote crossed party lines to an unusual degree in a Congress marked by near ceaseless partisanship. Top Republican and Democratic leaders backed Obama’s plan seven weeks before midterm elections, while dozens of rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties opposed it.

U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Biloxi, was one of those in opposition.

“As a Marine who has served in this very region of the world, I believe our men and women in uniform deserve a strong, comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIL,” Palazzo said. “Today’s vote to provide equipment and training to Syrian rebels is an arbitrary half-measure, and one that won’t work. I cannot support handing weapons to a force unless I am 100% confident that our American soldiers won’t have to face fire from those same weapons in the future.