US Sen. Sherrod Brown votes against arming Syrian rebel groups

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, today voted against legislation that would arm Syrian rebel groups.

“ISIL poses a very real threat, and the president is right to build a broad coalition to combat it. However, history has shown the dangers of arming rebel forces in volatile regions. I’m not ready today to place the U.S. in the midst of a three-way civil war," Brown said in a statement.

“A commitment of this magnitude deserves a full and thorough debate in Congress and the definitive, specific, and public commitments of our Arab allies in the region working with the Iraqi government to counter this threat.”