Committee Approves "Caesar" Bill Sanctioning Regime Attacks on Syrian Civilians Good news! The Senate Foreign Relations Committee listened to you and has cleared the way for the "Caesar" sanctions. This legislation will hold Assad accountable for his war crimes and impede his ability to use funds from Russia, Iran, and others to continue his brutal oppression. You can access the final text of the bill here.
|
|
What's New? In addition to the original language passed by the House last May, the Senate further strengthened measures to create a more comprehensive U.S. policy. It also incorporates aspects of another AFS priority, the "No Assistance For Assad Act" (H.R. 4681) led by Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Syria Caucus Co-Chair Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), which keeps the Assad regime from profiting off of international reconstruction funds. The new text includes sanctions on anyone that:
- Serves in a military group operating on behalf of the Assad regime, such as the Russian Wagner group or Iranian-backed proxies;
- Supports Syria’s construction or energy industry, as a way to target reconstruction;
- Sells aircraft materiel for military purposes to foreign operatives of the Assad regime in pro-regime areas; or
- Oversees facilities involved torture of civilians including provincial security branches and Assad detention centers.
|
|
What's Next? Now that it has the backing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, it will go to the floor for the full Senate's approval. With the end of the year fast approaching, the Senate will likely expedite a vote through a "hotline." This means that the bill will pass with unanimous consent unless a senator objects within a certain timeframe. If the bill passes the Senate, it will return to the House for a vote of approval. Finally, it goes to the President's desk to sign into law. |
|
