A coalition of civil society organizations is urging Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to support an outright repeal of U.S. sanctions on Syria, a move that’s also a key focus for President Trump.
Currently, a bipartisan, bicameral effort is underway to include a full repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, Mast has voiced reservations about lifting sanctions unconditionally.
“While the discussions about repealing Caesar continue, my concerns are evident to anyone familiar with the circumstances in Syria,” Mast stated, without providing further details.
There’s a growing unease within this bipartisan group about a complete sanction lift, pointing out that the government led by Ahmed al-Shallah, who is still recognized as a terrorist by the U.S., needs to show more commitment to governance that includes all citizens, protects minorities, and ensures religious freedom and justice.
As negotiations for the NDAA are in progress, it’s crucial for Mast, as the committee chair, to approve any language concerning the repeal of Caesar.
Mast’s apprehensions seem to reflect broader worries, especially from his supporters, about the apparent mismatch between a full repeal and the administration’s priorities, especially with al-Shara’s notable visit to the White House scheduled for Monday.
A senior official from the Trump administration noted, “The Trump administration is in favor of completely repealing the Caesar Act. This aligns with the President’s position on sanctions relief, which is vital for enabling U.S. businesses and regional governments to operate within Syria.”
The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), an advocate for the Caesar Act’s repeal, sent a letter to Mast on Tuesday emphasizing the need for “a complete and permanent repeal of the Caesar Act.”
SETF has taken a strong stance following al-Shara’s success in toppling Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last December.
In a similar vein, families of Americans who have been detained, gone missing, or killed in Syria also reached out to Mast, pleading for the Caesar Act to be repealed if that could lead to information about their loved ones’ fates. “While the law was meant to hold those accountable for the Assad regime’s actions, it is now obstructing efforts to help families like ours learn what happened to our loved ones,” their letter stated.
The letter featured signatures from Diane Foley, the mother of American James Foley, killed in Syria in 2014; Mariam Kamalmaz, the daughter of Majid Kamalmaz, missing since 2017; Danny Samin, son of Jamil Samin, who disappeared in 2013; as well as others unjustly detained.
Additionally, to highlight the religious diversity under al-Shara’s administration, Rabbi Henry Joseph Hamra, a Syrian-American, sent a letter to Mast advocating for the full repeal of the Caesar Act. “I am deeply concerned about Jewish Heritage in Syria and the amendments proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham related to the NDAA,” he expressed.
Supporters of repealing Caesar have criticized Sen. Graham’s amendment for imposing conditions on sanctions relief, despite efforts by lawmakers to lessen the impact of potential financial penalties. “Ending the Caesar sanctions is crucial for rebuilding synagogues and cemeteries, preserving invaluable Jewish heritage, and fostering a multifaith community in Syria after decades of exclusion. Essentially, this amendment would be catastrophic for Syria’s Jewish community,” Hamra wrote.
