Washington Post:
The Obama administration asked Congress on Thursday to authorize $500 million in direct U.S. military training and equipment for Syrian opposition fighters, a move that could significantly escalate U.S. involvement in Syria’s civil war. [...]
The $500 million training and equipping mission would be aimed at helping “vetted elements” of the Syrian armed opposition to “defend the Syrian people, stabilize areas under opposition control, facilitate the provision of essential services, counter terrorist threats, and promote conditions for a negotiated settlement.”
The request is part of a $66 billion Pentagon funding request for overseas operations, and would include another $500 million for "unforeseen contingencies related to counterterrorism or regional instability."
Presumably, the administration will have an easier time securing this money from House Republicans than, say, funding for emergency unemployment benefits, or modernizing the nation's infrastructure. Because, priorities.