Congress' spending bill in flux over Obama's Syria request

President Obama wants Congress to give the U.S. military legal authorization to train Syrian rebels in neighboring countries, a last-minute request that has thrown into flux lawmakers' plans to pass a spending bill needed to keep the government running.

The president is scheduled to address the nation on the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday evening. Though he believes he has the authority needed to attack the Islamic militants, he is seeking additional authorization for his plan to arm moderate Syrian rebels and asking for $500 million in funding for that task.

He personally called House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, Tuesday evening to ask him to add the authorization to the spending bill the GOP leadership was planning to put up for a vote Thursday. The bill funds the government through Dec. 11 and will prevent another government shutdown.

House leaders were planning to vote on the spending bill Thursday, but that was postponed Wednesday because of the president's request. The GOP conference will meet Thursday morning to discuss the issue.

Rogers told reporters Wednesday that, "There's just too much here to quickly decide on, but I do think we owe it to the president" and the public to examine the request. He said he was hoping the vote on the spending bill will take place next Wednesday.

Republicans also argue that the president can draw on existing contingency and Defense Department funds for any training operations, but they acknowledge he would need additional authority.

Democrats have indicated they support Mr. Obama's request and agree it should be a part of the spending bill Congress is working to pass. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said on her way to a classified briefing Wednesday that she hopes the House will include the authorization in the spending bill because it stands the best chance of passing quickly.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, "It's clear to me that we need to train and equip Syrian rebels and other groups in the Middle East that need some help."

Reid said that the president was seeking the necessary authority to train the rebels, and "we should give it to him. That's one way of helping to build an international coalition."

Leaders in both parties seem eager to get the spending bill passed and avoid a repeat of the 2013 government shutdown so close to the midterm elections. But on top of complications coming from the White House, Republican leaders will have to watch for a potential conservative insurrection.

Two outside groups, the Club for Growth and Heritage Action, have told members to vote "no" on the spending bill because it includes a short-term extension of the Export-Import Bank, which helps U.S. businesses sell overseas. Some members of the GOP see the bank as an unnecessary government handout and want to see it shuttered.

Club for Growth also argued that the spending bill up for a vote would need to be renewed after the midterm elections, but before new members of Congress take office in January - during the so-called "lame duck" session.

"So-called 'employees' shouldn't go back to work - especially when they are responsible for American tax dollars - after they retire or are fired," said Andy Roth, the Vice President of Government Affairs for the group.

Some of the House's most conservative members are also optimistic about the chances of GOP takeover of the Senate, and believe they will better be able to achieve their goals if they push the next spending battle to next spring.

A handful of those lawmakers met with Sen. Ted Cruz Tuesday evening. The Texas Republican has made a regular habit of meeting disgruntled Republicans on the House side to let them air their grievances and plot strategy.