The recent spike in violent sectarian clashes in Syria has ignited discussions in Congress about whether to heed President Trump’s call to lift all sanctions on the country.
Trump has shown support for Syrian interim president Ahmed Alshara, who played a key role in the ousting of long-time dictator Bashar Assad last December. However, there’s a mix of skepticism among both Republicans and Democrats regarding whether Alshara has effectively managed terrorist elements within his ranks.
In Sweida, South Syria, violence, including the reported deaths of American citizens, underscores the significant challenges that new Syrian leaders face in dealing with armed militias and minority factions.
Additionally, repealing the 2019 Caesar Syrian Civil Protection Act appears to be necessary to move forward with Trump’s plan.
“There are various viewpoints on the direction we should take. That’s the conversation we’re having right now,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast (R-FLA) on Tuesday.
Mast seems to be trying to balance a more nuanced approach to sanctions relief with broader debates around it, as evidenced in a House Financial Services Committee meeting.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced a bill that would allow amendments to the sanctions law, potentially permitting waivers beyond the current six-month timeline under specific conditions. This legislation, backed by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif), stipulates that the government must demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding minority communities.
“We can’t expect perfection. We’re not aiming for a perfect democracy, but we want a government that will work to prevent further executions of Druzes, including American citizens,” he commented regarding last week’s violence.
Sherman clarified that he’s not in favor of fully repealing the Caesar Act.
Last week, Israel launched strikes in Damascus and southern Sweida, a move that reportedly caught the Trump administration off guard.
Concurrent with this, the U.S. facilitated a ceasefire involving Druze, Bedouin, and Israeli forces to prevent further bloodshed, which has already claimed about 300 lives and forced nearly 100,000 people to flee.
The State Department confirmed the death of Hosam Saraya, an American Druze, among others taken by local forces during recent confrontations.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed her continued support for the legislation she introduced in June, advocating for the repeal of the sanctions law.
“We need to show Syrians that better living conditions are possible,” she stated, hoping for a halt to Israeli bombing campaigns.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), a member of both the House Foreign Affairs and Finance Committees, has proposed a bill seeking a complete repeal of the sanctions law.
“The best way to provide Syria an opportunity is through complete abolition,” he remarked.
Wilson’s repeal amendment, which has garnered support from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif), advocates for an outright cessation of the Caesar Act.
“When efforts in the African-American community hit roadblocks, it’s like we’re only given enough resources to fail—this is the same situation here,” Waters noted.
“High expectations must be placed on the new government. They need full, effective removal of sanctions to make meaningful progress,” she added.
Trump’s envoy for Syria, Ambassador Tom Barrack, is also urging for a complete repeal of the sanctions. The White House has yet to comment on the ongoing discussions.
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed cautious optimism about maintaining current exemptions and how to interact with Alshara’s government.
“Whether we opt for total repeal or a gradual approach is largely up to the president,” Risch said, emphasizing the need for a real opportunity for Syria.
“I think they already have the tools they need to act, so I’m hopeful,” he added, referring to concerns about whether investors would engage with Syria without clarity on sanctions.
Last month, Trump directed the State Department to review the terrorist designation of a group connected to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which played a role in Assad’s exit. While the Biden administration removed Alshara’s $10 million bounty, it remains uncertain whether his terrorist designation has been fully rescinded.
Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, supports both sanctions relief and the Lawler bill, which puts him at odds with constituents he has previously worked closely with regarding the original Caesar Act.
The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), a humanitarian group based in Arkansas, has issued a statement against Lawler’s proposal.
“President Trump’s administration aimed to lift sanctions and offer Syria a chance. This bill contradicts that,” the SETF said.
“Congress has a moral obligation to completely abolish Caesar, which was intended to punish Assad, not the Syrian people,” they added.
Stephen Rapp, a SETF council member who served as a U.S. Ambassador, argued that the Caesar Act was effective in promoting Assad’s downfall, and repealing it wouldn’t inhibit the U.S. from enforcing necessary sanctions against Alshara’s government.
“We don’t need Caesar sanctions anymore. It’s crucial to send a clear message to Syria about supporting justice and human rights,” he stated.
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at a conservative think tank, argues for coordinated sanctions relief to ensure leverage against violence towards civilians and minority groups.
He also cautioned against double standards regarding Alshara’s relationship with the government.
“It’s vital to maintain legal mechanisms that could aid in investigations into regime changes and human rights violations,” he said.
Assad’s regime has faced accusations of extensive atrocities, including the deaths of over 200,000 civilians and the use of horrific weaponry against its own people.
Yet, Rubin also emphasized that Alshara’s connections to groups like al-Qaeda should not be overlooked.
“It’s important to acknowledge that both Alshara and his associates are increasingly engaged in severe human rights abuses. If the U.S. selectively prosecutes some while ignoring others, it undermines the entire human rights framework,” he concluded.
