Representatives Joe Wilson, Jimmy Panetta, Marlin Stutzman, Lou Correa, Jack Bergman, and Pramila Jayapal have introduced a bipartisan bill to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. Representative Anna Paulina Luna has also joined as an original cosponsor.
The Caesar Act imposed sanctions on Syria in response to war crimes by the Assad regime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waived these sanctions for 180 days last month. Without permanent repeal by Congress, waivers will be required every 180 days until the law’s expiration in December 2029. This could create economic uncertainty and harm efforts to alleviate humanitarian and economic hardship in Syria.
Secretary Rubio testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 21 regarding Syria sanctions. He stated that “the sanctions in Syria are largely based on a statute, the Caesar Act,” allowing the President to issue rolling waivers every six months. The goal is to make enough progress for Congress to permanently repeal them.
Ambassador Thomas Barrack was named as Syria’s U.S. envoy on May 23. He noted that some of the toughest U.S. sanctions were implemented under the Caesar Act in 2020 and must be repealed within a 180-day window. Barrack said, “I promise you the one person who has less patience with these sanctions than all of you is President Trump.”
Rep. Wilson stated, “The Assad regime sanctioned by the Caesar Act no longer exists, and it is time to repeal the law to provide long-term certainty to those who would like to invest in the reconstruction and rebuilding of Syria.”
Rep. Panetta commented on the potential benefits of repealing the act: “With the fall of the Assad regime, the Syrian people have renewed hope for a better future.” He added that this action would support Syrians during a critical transitional period.
Rep. Jayapal emphasized giving new opportunities to Syria’s government: “For far too long, the Syrian people suffered under…the Assad regime.” She believes repealing these sanctions will enable foreign investment in Syria’s economy.
The full text of H.R. 3941 is available for review.
