US Envoy Urges Lawmakers to Repeal Syria Sanctions Law
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack called on Congress on Oct. 20 to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, saying the 2019 law “served its moral purpose against the previous, treacherous [Bashar] Assad regime but now suffocates a nation seeking to rebuild.”
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Barrack said Syria's new government has taken positive steps, such as restoring ties with several countries in the region and Europe and engaging in border talks with Israel. Repealing the sanctions law would further that progress by unlocking "the ability of allies and private investors to rebuild Syria’s power grids, water systems, schools, and hospitals," he wrote on X.
The Senate version of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes amendments that would repeal the Caesar Act, as well as seek to reimpose the sanctions if certain conditions aren't met (see 2509050056 and 2510100015). The Senate NDAA will have to be reconciled with the House version, which doesn't contain such Syria provisions.