House Bill Could Expand Sanctions on Syrian Regime
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill last week that could expand sanctions on Syria's Bashar Assad regime and close “loopholes” in existing sanctions. The Assad Anti-Normalization Act would sanction members of Syria’s People’s Assembly and senior officials of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and would “clarify the applicability” of sanctions to Syrian regime airlines and certain energy-related transactions. It also would expand the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act by “plugging loopholes” that “made it hard to enforce,” including by expanding Caesar Act sanctions on those involved in diverting humanitarian aid meant for the Syrian people.
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Other measures included in the bill -- led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and seven others -- would require an “immediate review” of Caesar Act sanctions for any grants to Syria over $50,000, would require a determination of whether the Syria Trust for Development meets the criteria for sanctions, and would allow committee leaders to request review of any names for Caesar Act sanctions.
The U.S. “must use all of our leverage to stop normalization with Assad,” McCaul said. “I am proud to join my colleagues in mandating further sanctions against any form of investment in territory under the control of the Assad regime, as we remain committed to ensuring the Syrian people receive justice.” Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said he’s “proud” to introduce a bill that “condemns the normalization of relations with Bashar al-Assad and imposes sanctions on those who support him.”