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President Barack Obama addresses soldiers at U.S. Central Command (CentCom) at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Wednesday. Obama says U.S. forces in Iraq "do not and will not" have a combat mission as part of the effort against Islamic State militants.

WASHINGTON The Republican-controlled House voted grudgingly Wednesday to give the administration authority to train and arm Syrian rebels as President Barack Obama emphasized anew that American forces "do not and will not have a combat mission" in the struggle against Islamic State militants in either Iraq or Syria.

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.

The provision was added to spending legislation that will ensure the federal government operates normally after the Sept. 30 end of the budget year. Final approval is expected in the Senate on Thursday.

Even supporters of the military plan found little to trumpet. "This is the best of a long list of bad options," said Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va.

One Republican supporter noted the measure includes strict limits on Obama's authority. "Members on both sides of the aisle are very concerned that too much of Congress' warmaking power has gone to the president," said Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma.

Obama's remarks and similar comments Wednesday by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California seemed designed to reassure liberal lawmakers that the new military mission would be limited.

In a statement following the vote, Obama said the House "took an important step forward as our nation unites to confront the threat posed" by the Islamic State group, showing bipartisan support for a "critical component" of his strategy against the extremists.

Only a day earlier, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, drew widespread attention when he told Congress he might recommend the use of U.S. ground combat forces if Obama's current strategy fails to stop the militants.

Across the political aisle from the president and Pelosi, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California swung behind the plan. Yet many other Republicans expressed concerns that it would be insufficient to defeat militants who have overrun parts of Syria and Iraq and beheaded two American journalists.

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Republican-controlled House grudgingly approves arms for Syrian rebels

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Chris Heben, a former Navy SEAL, has been making the #39;rounds on right wing media the past few weeks as he has become a hero of theirs. Why? He #39;s been selling a story that he was shot by 3 racist b.

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The House majority leader said he anticipates bipartisan support for a measure granting President Barack Obamas request to arm and equip Syrian rebels under an approach that lets skeptical lawmakers register their concerns.

The House plans to begin debate today on the measure offered yesterday as an amendment to a must-pass bill to fund the U.S. government through Dec. 11. Separate votes on the amendment and the bill, H.J.Res. 124, are planned tomorrow.

We want to give plenty of time for debate and discussion for everybody, said Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican.

Related: Anti-Islamic State Coalition Confirms Iraq Military Aid

Lawmakers in both parties sought a separate vote on the Syria rebel aid. Some Republicans who want a more robust response to Islamic terrorism demanded a vote to send a message to allies and terrorist groups. Senate Democrats who worry the arms could fall into terrorists hands and that the U.S. may be drawn into a broader war want a chance to vote against it.

Congressional leaders say they want to pass the legislation this week so members can return home to campaign for Novembers election. The spending measure also will include a nine-month extension of the Export-Import Bank, whose charter ends Sept. 30, the same day government funding is set to lapse.

Obama, in a Sept. 10 televised address, asked Congress to authorize help for Syrian rebels combating the Sunni extremist group Islamic State, which has swept from Syria deep into Iraq with a campaign of terror that included the beheading of two U.S. journalists and a British aid worker. No U.S. ground troops will be needed, the president said.

Under the plan, the Defense Department and State Department would be required to report to Congress 15 days before putting its proposal into effect and demonstrate how it would work.

Al-Qaeda's Heirs

Every 90 days afterward, the Defense Department would have to provide information on vetting of Syrian rebels who receive help, in an effort to ensure that U.S. equipment doesnt fall into terrorists hands.

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Republican Syria-Rebel Aid Plan Said to Include Controls

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

The Republican Governors Association has begun running the first negative television ad of the general election race for governor, criticizing Democrat David Ige and trying to boost Republican Duke Aiona. But two political analysts question whether the commercial will be effective.

Over ominous sounding music, the announcer starts the TV commercial by saying "Neil Abercrombie calls David Ige a good partner. Leading the way for an estimated $800 million in taxes and fees. We're now the worst state to make a living.

The TV spot tries to link Ige to the failures of the administration of fellow Democrat Neil Abercrombie, the incumbent governor who Ige beat in a primary election landslide last month.

University of Hawaii Manoa political science professor Colin Moore doubted the new commercial will be effective for one major reason.

"Trying to tie Ige to Abercrombie in voters' minds might be pretty difficult, because most of them voted for Ige precisely because they didn't agree with Abercrombie," Moore said.

John Hart, the chairman of the Communication Department at Hawaii Pacific University, agreed that trying to link Abercrombie with Ige will not be successful.

"Ige has no close relationship, Hart said.He beat the pants off the guy in the election and I don't think Hawaii is going to say the two of them are connected."

The ad said Republican Duke Aiona will strengthen the state's economy and create new jobs.

The Republican Governors Association, based in Washington, D.C., did not return Hawaii News Now's call or email to tell us how much money it will spend on these and other ads trying to boost Aiona.

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Republican group runs first negative ad of the governor's race