The White House, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial are seen across Lafayette Park from atop the roof of the historic Hay Adams hotel in Washington, May 4, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Bourg
The White House, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial are seen across Lafayette Park from atop the roof of the historic Hay Adams hotel in Washington, May 4, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

Despite a number feeling bypassed when President Barack Obama approved to strike ISIL in Syria last week, a large number of American of lawmakers had voted 273-156 to release funds that would be used to arm and train the Syrian rebels.

This development meant the release of $500 million to some 5,000 Free Syrian Army members, as well as weapons supplies.

Rep Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) is not fully supportive of Mr Obama's ISIS plan because the latter didn't present anything "that could be remotely considered a strategy." Yet, he knew and understand that the entirety of the American populace, in a nutshell, also wants the radical Islamic terror group and all its related activities immediately destroyed because its threat is real.

A total of 159 Republicans and 114 Democrats gave their "yes" vote, while 85 Democrats and 71 Republicans voted "no."

Rep Steve Scalise (R-La.) said that while Republicans and Democrats came together to give Mr Obama the authorization he needed, he stressed that Congress "approved that authorization with some accountability steps in place."

Part of those restrictions and accountability measures mandate Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to first notify lawmakers 15 days before the start of any training of Syrian rebels. He is likewise instructed to ensure background checks are first made on all fighters being trained in the program.

Congress, likewise, issues explicit orders to the Pentagon that it wants status briefings every 90 days.

"Launching airstrikes on another country, by any standard, by any definition is an act of war," Representative Rick Nolan, Democrat of Minnesota said. "Have we not had enough of imperial presidencies doing what they want in the world?"

Mr Obama had committed to the American people he won't be sending ground troops to Iraq and Syria to fight the ISIS, but maintained the U.S. needs to support military allies "so they can secure their own countries future."

But then again, Representative Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland believed that in the event the situation with ISIS gets serious, lawmakers, despite convictions, would be forced to extend a hand to the White House because "you don't weaken the commander in chief when we're in a serious crisis."