White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report
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The White House is pressuring Congress to repeal the Caesar Act and lift remaining sanctions on Syria, aiming to improve the country's investment climate.
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Syrians wave Saudi and Syrian flags in celebration after US President Donald Trump announced plans during his visit to Saudi Arabia to ease sanctions on Syria and normalize relations with its new government, in Homs, Syria, late Tuesday, May 13, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Albam)
The White House is reportedly pressuring Congress to fully repeal the remaining US sanctions on Syria, particularly the Caesar Act, in a move aimed at improving the country’s investment climate and supporting Syria’s recovery, Al-Monitor reported Friday, citing a senior congressional aide.
According to the report, US administration officials are working behind the scenes to persuade lawmakers that the Caesar Act, which is currently under a 180-day suspension, must be entirely dismantled to allow Syria a chance at economic revitalization. The effort follows US President Donald Trump’s public commitment in May to facilitate a pathway for Syrian prosperity.
Despite White House efforts, opposition remains strong from pro-Israeli lobbying groups in Washington, which argue that maintaining sanctions is vital due to Syria's perceived threat to "Israel" and to regional minority communities such as the Alawites and Druze.
These groups are reportedly lobbying Congress to keep sanctions intact, warning that lifting restrictions could shift the regional balance of power and embolden Syria’s strategic alliances.
Read more: Barrack pushes US agenda: Disarm Hezbollah, rebrand Syria policy
Congressional amendments reflect divided views on Syria
The debate over Syria sanctions has now extended into the US legislative process. According to the report, Trump’s Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, has been engaging with senior Republican lawmakers in recent weeks, urging support for repealing the Caesar Act, a law originally enacted in 2019 to target the Syrian government and its allies with harsh economic penalties.
As part of the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an amendment from Senator Jeanne Shaheen seeks to repeal the Caesar Act altogether.
However, a counter-amendment from US Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been designated as a terrorist and extremist by Russia, requires the US president to certify every six months that the Syrian government is complying with certain conditions. These include avoiding military action against "Israel" and removing foreign fighters from its territory.
Syria officially removed from US sanctions list
On August 25, the US Department of the Treasury announced that Syria had been officially removed from the US sanctions list.
The decision came into effect following an executive order signed by Trump on June 30, reflecting a broader shift in US policy toward Syria under his administration.
The move is seen as part of a wider effort to open the door for foreign investment, rebuild Syria's war-torn infrastructure, and re-integrate the country into regional and international diplomatic frameworks.
