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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 960 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 960

         To foster stability in Syria, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 15, 2013

  Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Corker) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
         To foster stability in Syria, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Syria Transition 
Support Act of 2013''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Appropriate congressional committees defined.
Sec. 3. Findings.
Sec. 4. Purposes of assistance.
Sec. 5. No authorization for the use of military force.
      TITLE I--UNITED STATES STRATEGY AND CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT

Sec. 101. Report on United States strategy on Syria.
Sec. 102. Congressional oversight of United States Government 
                            activities in Syria.
                   TITLE II--HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

Sec. 201. Humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria.
Sec. 202. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 203. Report on strategy to communicate to the Syrian people about 
                            assistance provided by the United States 
                            Government.
              TITLE III--PROMOTING AN EFFECTIVE TRANSITION

Sec. 301. Syria Transition Fund.
Sec. 302. Adjusting sanctions provisions in preparation for a political 
                            transition.
Sec. 303. Report on Syrian weapons stockpiles.
Sec. 304. Pre-transition international consensus.
                          TITLE IV--SANCTIONS

Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Imposition of sanctions with respect to selling, 
                            transferring, or transporting defense 
                            articles, defense services, or military 
                            training to the Assad regime of Syria.
Sec. 403. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons providing 
                            petroleum or petroleum products to the 
                            Assad regime of Syria.
Sec. 404. Sanctions described.
Sec. 405. Waivers.
Sec. 406. Sense of Congress on sanctions.
             TITLE V--INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE OPPOSITION

Sec. 501. Lethal and increased non-lethal support for the vetted 
                            opposition.

SEC. 2. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

    In this Act, except as specifically provided in title IV of this 
Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Since mass peaceful demonstrations started in Syria on 
        March 15, 2011, the Government of Syria, led by Bashar al-
        Assad, has responded by committing human rights abuses and 
        launching a violent crackdown that has claimed an estimated 
        70,000 lives and degenerated into a civil war.
            (2) The civil war has caused a humanitarian crisis. 
        According to the United Nations, there are more than 1,400,000 
        Syrian refugees registered in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, 
        and Iraq and more than 2,600,000 Syrians displaced within the 
        country. More than three-quarters of refugees and internally 
        displaced persons are women and children.
            (3) The refugee crisis threatens the stability of the 
        Middle East, putting immense burdens on Syria's neighbors, most 
        notably Lebanon and Jordan, but also Turkey and Iraq.
            (4) The civil war has increased the danger that the Assad 
        regime could lose control of its chemical weapons stockpile, 
        with the chemical weapons potentially falling into the hands of 
        terrorist groups like Hizballah and al Qaeda.
            (5) On April 25, 2013, the White House issued a letter to 
        Congress stating that ``our intelligence community does assess 
        with varying degrees of confidence that the Syrian regime has 
        used chemical weapons on a small scale in Syria, specifically 
        the chemical agent Sarin''.
            (6) The security vacuum in Syria has created a safe haven 
        for both Shia and Sunni extremists, which could threaten the 
        security of the United States and its partners in the region.
            (7) Instability in Syria has threatened Israel's security, 
        particularly on the shared border along the Golan Heights.
            (8) A change of government in Syria could be a significant 
        blow to the Government of Iran and Hizballah, which would lose 
        a strong ally and which have also been aggressively providing 
        military and other assistance to Bashar al-Assad's forces, 
        including through the trafficking of weapons and supplies on 
        commercial flights originating from or terminating in Iran.
            (9) The commitments made by the National Coalition for 
        Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces at the international 
        meeting in Istanbul on April 20 and 21, 2013, constitute an 
        important endorsement of shared principles and objectives that 
        should guide United States Government cooperation with the 
        National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition 
        Forces and affiliated forces. These principles include a 
        commitment to the territorial integrity of Syria, a rejection 
        of sectarianism and extremism, and pledges to secure chemical 
        weapons and support nonproliferation efforts.
            (10) It is vital to the national security interests of the 
        United States to ensure that the United States planning and 
        programs, specifically those conducted under the authorities or 
        funding provided in or authorized under this Act, are focused 
        on ensuring a stable and appropriate political transition in 
        Syria and limiting the threats posed by extremist groups, 
        weapons proliferation, sectarian and ethnic violence, and 
        refugee flows in the aftermath of the current conflict.

SEC. 4. PURPOSES OF ASSISTANCE.

    The purposes of assistance authorized by this Act are--
            (1) to support transition from the current regime to a just 
        and democratic state that is inclusive and protects the rights 
        of all Syrians regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender;
            (2) to assist the people of Syria, especially internally 
        displaced persons and refugees, in meeting basic needs 
        including access to food, health care, shelter, and clean 
        drinking water;
            (3) to provide political and economic support to those 
        neighboring countries who are hosting refugees fleeing Syria 
        and to international organizations that are providing 
        assistance and coordinating humanitarian relief efforts;
            (4) to oppose the unlawful use of violence against 
        civilians by all parties to the conflict in Syria;
            (5) to use a broad array of instruments of national power 
        to expedite a negotiated solution to the conflict in Syria, 
        including the departure of Bashar al-Assad;
            (6) to recognize the National Coalition for Syrian 
        Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (in this Act referred to as 
        the ``Syrian Opposition Coalition'' or ``SOC'') as a legitimate 
        representative of the Syrian people;
            (7) to engage with opposition groups that reflect United 
        States interests and values, most notably the Syrian Opposition 
        Coalition, any legitimate successor groups, including 
        appropriate subgroups within the opposition that are 
        representative of the Syrian people, as well as the broader 
        international community, that are committed to facilitating an 
        orderly transition to a more stable democratic political order, 
        including--
                    (A) protecting human rights, expanding political 
                participation, and providing religious freedom to all 
                Syrians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or 
                gender;
                    (B) supporting the rule of law;
                    (C) rejecting terrorism and extremist ideologies;
                    (D) subordinating the military to civilian 
                authority;
                    (E) protecting the Syrian population against 
                sectarian violence and reprisals;
                    (F) cooperating with international counterterrorism 
                and nonproliferation efforts;
                    (G) supporting regional stability and avoiding 
                interference in the affairs of neighboring countries; 
                and
                    (H) establishing a strong justice system and 
                ensuring accountability for conflict-related crimes;
            (8) to promote the territorial integrity of Syria and 
        continuity of the Syrian state by supporting a post-Assad 
        government that is capable of providing security, services, and 
        political and religious rights to its people;
            (9) to provide foreign assistance, defense articles, 
        defense services, and training to specific members of the 
        Syrian Supreme Military Council, particular units of the Free 
        Syrian Army, and other Syrian entities opposed to the 
        government of Bashar al-Assad that have been properly and fully 
        vetted and share common values and interests with the United 
        States;
            (10) to closely coordinate with key partners on contingency 
        planning, including Turkey, Jordan, Israel, the Gulf 
        Cooperation Council, and the European Union, to ensure that 
        these partners are prepared for an appropriate response to the 
        evolving situation in Syria, including being ready and capable 
        of securing of chemical or biological weapons or other 
        proliferation emergencies, preventing the flow of fighters and 
        weapons out of Syria into neighboring countries, or taking 
        other measures against the Government of Syria, including 
        contingency planning for a no-fly zone;
            (11) to support efforts to identify and document the 
        activities of those individuals who target or lead units or 
        organizations that target civilian populations and vulnerable 
        populations, including women and children, or have engaged in 
        otherwise unlawful acts, and to ensure that they are held 
        accountable for their actions; and
            (12) to ensure a stable and appropriate political 
        transition in Syria and limit the threats posed by extremist 
        groups, weapons proliferation, sectarian and ethnic violence, 
        and refugee flows in the aftermath of the current conflict.

SEC. 5. NO AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as providing authorization 
for the use of military force by the United States Armed Forces.

      TITLE I--UNITED STATES STRATEGY AND CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT

SEC. 101. REPORT ON UNITED STATES STRATEGY ON SYRIA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an unclassified report, with an 
classified annex, as necessary, on an integrated United States 
Government strategy to achieve the purposes set forth in section 4.
    (b) Metrics.--The strategy referenced in subsection (a) should 
include specific proposed actions to be taken by each relevant 
government agency, a timeframe for beginning and completing such 
actions, and metrics for evaluating the success of each proposed action 
relative to the purpose of such action.
    (c) International Engagement Strategy.--The strategy referenced in 
subsection (a) should specifically include sections describing specific 
United States Government programs and efforts--
            (1) to establish international consensus on the transition 
        and post-transition period and government in Syria;
            (2) to work with the Government of Russia on the situation 
        in Syria and the transition and post-transition period and 
        government in Syria, including how such programs can leverage 
        the shared interests of the United States and Russia in 
        avoiding the expansion of extremist ideologies and terrorist 
        groups in Syria and the region;
            (3) to work with the Friends of Syria group to ensure that 
        extremist and terrorist groups in Syria are isolated and that 
        the core of the opposition can be brought to the negotiating 
        table; and
            (4) to build an international consensus to limit and, to 
        the greatest extent possible eliminate, support from the 
        Government of Iran for the Syrian regime, including a potential 
        ban on all commercial flights between Iran and Syria.
    (d) Congressional Consultation.--The President shall actively 
consult with the appropriate congressional committees prior to the 
submission of the report required under subsection (a).

SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 
              ACTIVITIES IN SYRIA.

    (a) In General.--The President shall keep Congress, through the 
appropriate congressional committees, fully and currently informed of 
all United States Government activities with respect to Syria, 
including activities and programs conducted or funded pursuant to this 
Act.
    (b) Reporting.--The President shall provide a classified briefing 
not less than on a quarterly basis to the appropriate congressional 
committees detailing all United States Government activities with 
respect to Syria, including activities and programs conducted or funded 
pursuant to this Act.

                   TITLE II--HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

SEC. 201. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA.

    (a) Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law that 
restricts the provision of United States economic or other non-military 
assistance in Syria, the President is authorized to provide economic 
and other non-military assistance to meet humanitarian needs to the 
people of Syria, either directly or through appropriate groups and 
organizations pursuant to the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act 
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) or the Migration and Refugee 
Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.).
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to authorize new or additional funding for humanitarian 
needs.

SEC. 202. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    Consistent with the policy objectives described in section 4, it is 
the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States should continue to coordinate with 
        other donor nations, the United Nations, other multilateral 
        agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to enhance the 
        effectiveness of humanitarian assistance to the people 
        suffering as a result of the crisis in Syria;
            (2) countries hosting Syrian refugees should be commended 
        for their efforts and should be encouraged to maintain an open 
        border policy for fleeing Syrians;
            (3) the United States Government should continue to work 
        with these partners to help their national systems accommodate 
        the population influx and also maintain delivery of basic 
        services to their own citizens; and
            (4) the United States Government should seek to identify 
        humanitarian assistance as originating from the American people 
        wherever possible and to the fullest extent practicable, while 
        maintaining consideration for the health and safety of the 
        implementers and recipients of that assistance and the 
        achievement of United States policy goals and the purposes set 
        forth in section 4.

SEC. 203. REPORT ON STRATEGY TO COMMUNICATE TO THE SYRIAN PEOPLE ABOUT 
              ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an unclassified report with a 
classified annex, as necessary, on an integrated United States 
Government strategy to ensure that the people of Syria people are made 
aware to the maximum extent possible of the assistance that the United 
States Government provides to Syrians both inside Syria and those 
seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
    (b) Content.--The report should include the following elements:
            (1) A discussion of how the United States balances three 
        imperatives of--
                    (A) maximizing the efficacy of aid provided to the 
                people of Syria;
                    (B) ensuring that there is awareness among the 
                people of Syria on the amount and nature of this aid; 
                and
                    (C) leveraging this aid to improve the credibility 
                of the Syrian Opposition Coalition amongst the people 
                of Syria.
            (2) Methods by which the United States Government and its 
        partners plan to communicate to the people of Syria what 
        assistance the United States has provided.
            (3) A plan, with specific action, timelines, and evaluation 
        metrics for promoting awareness of the United States 
        Government's assistance to the maximum extent possible while 
        taking into consideration and ensuring the safety of its 
        implementing partners and personnel providing that assistance 
        and the achievement of the United States policy goals and the 
        purposes set forth in section 4.
            (4) An assessment of the Syrian Opposition Coalition's 
        Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU)'s, or any appropriate 
        successor entity's, capacity to participate in the distribution 
        of assistance, and a description of steps the United States 
        Government is taking to increase their profile so as to help 
        build their credibility among Syrians.

              TITLE III--PROMOTING AN EFFECTIVE TRANSITION

SEC. 301. SYRIA TRANSITION FUND.

    (a) Syria Transition Fund.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established a Syria Transition 
        Fund (in this title referred to as the ``Transition Fund'') 
        from which funds may be made available, notwithstanding any 
        other provision of law that restricts the provision of United 
        States economic or non-military assistance in Syria, for 
        assistance and contributions to promote security and support 
        the objectives described in section 4.
            (2) Obligation of funds; notification.--
                    (A) In general.--The Transition Fund may rely upon 
                the administrative authorities of the Foreign 
                Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), and 
                obligation of such funds may not occur until 15 days 
                after the date on which the President has provided 
                notice of intent to obligate to the appropriate 
                congressional committees and the Committees on 
                Appropriations of the Senate and the House of 
                Representatives.
                    (B) Waiver.--The notification required under 
                subparagraph (A) may be waived if failure to do so 
                would pose a substantial risk to human health or 
                welfare, in which case notification shall be provided 
                as early as practicable, but in no event later than 
                three days after taking the action to which such 
                notification requirement was applicable in the context 
                of the circumstances necessitating such waiver. Any 
                notification provided pursuant to such a waiver shall 
                contain an explanation of the emergency circumstances.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Transition Fund is to provide 
support in the early transition period to enable an effective political 
transition to a more democratic and inclusive political structure and 
provide for initiatives that will improve the security of the United 
States, United States partners and allies, and the people of Syria. The 
Transition Fund may be used to support programs in the following areas 
and in priority order:
            (1) Security sector support.--Programs to train, equip, and 
        professionalize law enforcement and military forces in Syria, 
        including police and border protection forces, to protect the 
        people of Syria.
            (2) Support for regional stability.--Programs to support 
        government agencies and law enforcement and military forces in 
        Syria, as well as those in neighboring countries, to provide 
        support to refugees from Syria, to stem the flow of weapons and 
        fighters out of Syria into other nations, and to prevent the 
        proliferation of chemical or other weapons of mass destruction, 
        including preventing such weapons from falling into the hands 
        of al Qaeda, Hizballah, and other terrorist groups.
            (3) Transitional justice and conflict resolution.--Programs 
        to reduce the likelihood of retribution or sectarian violence 
        in the aftermath of the end of the Assad regime and to promote 
        the creation of a stable center, including improving relations 
        between the moderate Sunni, Alawite, and Christian communities.
            (4) Technical assistance to promote democracy and building 
        democratic institutions.--Technical assistance, capacity 
        building, and training programs that--
                    (A) facilitate the development of an accountable, 
                effective, and representative democratic government;
                    (B) protect the rule of law during the transition;
                    (C) support the development and administration of a 
                modern justice system;
                    (D) assist with the development of a Syrian 
                constitution that fosters a sense of unity and 
                contributes to national reconciliation among different 
                components of Syrian society; and
                    (E) support the establishment of an inclusive and 
                transparent electoral system in Syria.
            (5) Technical assistance to support economic 
        revitalization.--Technical assistance, capacity building, and 
        training programs that support the resumption of economic 
        activity, restore access to international markets, promote 
        international investment, provide for financial transparency 
        and fiscal stability, and empower the private sector.
            (6) Technical assistance for basic services.--Technical 
        assistance, capacity building, and training programs to provide 
        basic civil government services to the people of Syria.
            (7) Collection of evidence on unlawful activities targeting 
        civilian populations.--Programs that support the collection of 
        evidence related to the activities of those individuals who 
        target or lead units or organizations that target civilian 
        populations and vulnerable populations, including women and 
        children, or have engaged in otherwise unlawful acts, and to 
        ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to other 
assistance authorized under law, there is authorized to be appropriated 
to the Transition Fund, out of amounts appropriated for the support of 
political and economic transition in the Middle East and North Africa, 
up to $250,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2013 through 2015.
    (d) Uses of Funds for Nonproliferation.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law that restricts the provision of United States 
assistance in Syria, up to $100,000,000 of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated annually under subsection (c) may also be transferred to 
and merged with funds made available to carry out in Syria the purposes 
of chapter 9 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
U.S.C. 2349bb et seq.; nonproliferation and export control assistance).
    (e) Transfer Authority.--
            (1) In general.--In addition to other transfer authorities 
        available to the Department of State, the Department of 
        Defense, or other United States Government agencies or 
        departments, funds available for foreign assistance or funds of 
        the Department of Defense or other United States Government 
        agencies or departments that are specifically allocated towards 
        addressing the situation in Syria may be transferred to the 
        Transition Fund by the agencies or departments to which the 
        funds are available, subject to existing reprogramming 
        requirements and limitations, including congressional 
        notification and approval requirements. Amounts so transferred 
        shall be merged with funds otherwise made available under this 
        section and remain available until expended for the purposes 
        specified in subsection (b).
            (2) Limit.--The total amount of funds made available to the 
        Transition Fund may not exceed $250,000,000 in any fiscal year.
            (3) Transfer authority.--Funds available to carry out 
        assistance authorized by this section may be transferred to an 
        agency or account determined most appropriate to facilitate the 
        provision of assistance authorized by this section.
            (4) Additional to other authorities.--The transfer 
        authorities in paragraphs (1) and (3) are in addition to any 
        other transfer authority available to the Department of State 
        or other United States Government agencies.
    (f) Sunset Provision.--Unless specifically renewed, the Transition 
Fund shall terminate on September 30, 2015.
    (g) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        establishment of the Transition Fund, and annually thereafter 
        for the duration of the Transition Fund, the Secretary of 
        State, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense and other 
        appropriate agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
        congressional committees a report on United States efforts to 
        assist the political transition in Syria with a specific focus 
        on the efforts supported by the Transition Fund. The Secretary 
        shall also provide an update briefing to the appropriate 
        congressional committees every 180 days.
            (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following elements:
                    (A) A description of the efforts undertaken and 
                planned to be undertaken by the United States 
                Government through the Transition Fund to support the 
                policy objectives outlined in section 4.
                    (B) A description of the efforts supported by the 
                Transition Fund to support an effective and secure 
                political transition in Syria and how those activities 
                align with the purposes described in subsection (b).
                    (C) A specific accounting of all monies obligated 
                through the Transition Fund by program and project.
                    (D) Metrics and benchmarks to make allocations from 
                the Transition Fund and measure the performance of the 
                Transition Fund and programs funded by the Transition 
                Fund.
                    (E) A description of efforts undertaken to 
                coordinate with other donors and ensure that there is 
                not a duplication of efforts, including among Federal 
                agencies.
            (3) Form.--The report under paragraph (1) shall be 
        submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
        annex.

SEC. 302. ADJUSTING SANCTIONS PROVISIONS IN PREPARATION FOR A POLITICAL 
              TRANSITION.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
States Government should begin a phased process to remove sanctions on 
Syria once the Government of Syria has ceased its campaign of violence 
against the people of Syria and a transition has begun to a 
representative and inclusive government that is demonstrably committed 
to the principles set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of section 
4(7) and is recognized by the United States.
    (b) Amendments to Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty 
Restoration Act of 2003.--Section 5 of the Syria Accountability and 
Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-175; 22 
U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``paragraphs (1) through 
                        (4) of subsection (d)'' and inserting 
                        ``subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph 
                        (1) of subsection (d)'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, by striking the 
                comma at the end and inserting the following: ``or;
            ``(2) makes the determination that the Government of Syria 
        meets the requirements described in paragraph (2) of such 
        subsection and certifies such determination to Congress in 
        accordance with such subsection,''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(A)'' after 
                ``(1)'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) 
                as subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and 
                inserting the following: ``or;
            ``(2)(A) Bashar al-Assad is no longer the leader of Syria; 
        and
            ``(B) the Government of Syria has ceased its campaign of 
        violence against the people of Syria and begun the transition 
        to a representative and inclusive government that is 
        demonstrably committed to the principles of--
                    ``(i) protecting human rights, expanding political 
                participation, and providing religious freedom to all 
                Syrians, irrespective of, religion, ethnicity, or 
                gender;
                    ``(ii) supporting the rule of law;
                    ``(iii) rejecting terrorism and extremist 
                ideologies;
                    ``(iv) subordinating the military to civilian 
                authority;
                    ``(v) protecting the Syrian population against 
                sectarian violence and reprisals;
                    ``(vi) cooperating with international 
                counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts;
                    ``(vii) supporting regional stability and avoiding 
                interference in the affairs of neighboring countries;
                    ``(viii) establishing a strong justice system and 
                ensuring accountability for conflict-related crimes; 
                and
                    ``(ix) recognizing the Golan Heights `Separation of 
                Forces Agreement Between Israel And Syria,' signed on 
                May 31, 1974, and the related protocol regarding United 
                Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) 
                functions.''.

SEC. 303. REPORT ON SYRIAN WEAPONS STOCKPILES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the President shall submit to Congress an assessment of 
the size and security of conventional and non-conventional weapons 
stockpiles in Syria.
    (b) Content.--The report required under subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements:
            (1) A description of who has or may have access to the 
        stockpiles.
            (2) A description of the sources and types of weapons 
        flowing from outside Syria to both government and opposition 
        forces.
            (3) A detailed plan to prevent the proliferation of 
        conventional, biological, chemical, and other types of weapons 
        in Syria.

SEC. 304. PRE-TRANSITION INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS.

    The Secretary of State should establish international consensus on 
the transition and post-transition period and government in Syria by--
            (1) working with the government of Russia on the situation 
        in Syria and the transition and post-transition period and 
        government in Syria, including how such programs can leverage 
        the shared interests of the United States and Russia in 
        avoiding the expansion of extremist ideologies and terrorist 
        groups in Syria and the region;
            (2) working with the Friends of Syria group to ensure that 
        extremist and terrorist groups in Syria are isolated and that 
        the core of the opposition can be brought to the negotiating 
        table; and
            (3) building an international consensus to limit and, to 
        the greatest extent possible, eliminate support from the 
        Government of Iran for the Syrian regime, including a potential 
        ban on all commercial flights between Iran and Syria.

                          TITLE IV--SANCTIONS

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
                Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Banking, 
                Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee 
                on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Financial 
                Services of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Defense article; defense service.--The terms ``defense 
        article'' and ``defense service'' have the meanings given those 
        terms in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 
        2794).
            (3) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or 
        entity.
            (4) Petroleum.--The term ``petroleum'' includes crude oil 
        and any mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase in 
        natural underground reservoirs and remains liquid at 
        atmospheric pressure after passing through surface separating 
        facilities.
            (5) Petroleum products.--The term ``petroleum products'' 
        includes unfinished oils, liquefied petroleum gases, pentanes 
        plus, aviation gasoline, motor gasoline, naptha-type jet fuel, 
        kerosene-type jet fuel, kerosene, distillate fuel oil, residual 
        fuel oil, petrochemical feedstocks, special naphthas, 
        lubricants, waxes, petroleum coke, asphalt, road oil, still 
        gas, and miscellaneous products obtained from the processing of 
        crude oil (including lease condensate), natural gas, and other 
        hydrocarbon compounds.
            (6) United states person.--The term ``United States 
        person'' means--
                    (A) a natural person who is a citizen or resident 
                of the United States or a national of the United States 
                (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and 
                Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))); and
                    (B) an entity that is organized under the laws of 
                the United States or a jurisdiction within the United 
                States.

SEC. 402. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SELLING, 
              TRANSFERRING, OR TRANSPORTING DEFENSE ARTICLES, DEFENSE 
              SERVICES, OR MILITARY TRAINING TO THE ASSAD REGIME OF 
              SYRIA.

    On or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President may impose sanctions from among 
the sanctions described in section 404 with respect to any person that 
the President determines has, on or after such date of enactment, 
knowingly participated in or facilitated a significant transaction 
related to the sale, transfer, or transportation of defense articles, 
defense services, or military training to the Assad regime of Syria or 
any successor regime in Syria that the President determines is not a 
legitimate transitional or replacement government.

SEC. 403. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PERSONS PROVIDING 
              PETROLEUM OR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS TO THE ASSAD REGIME OF 
              SYRIA.

    On or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanction 
described in paragraph (5) of section 404 and 2 or more of the other 
sanctions described in that section with respect to each person that 
the President determines has, on or after such date of enactment, 
knowingly participated in or facilitated a significant transaction 
related to the sale or transfer of petroleum or petroleum products to 
the Assad regime of Syria or any successor regime in Syria that the 
President determines is not a legitimate transitional or replacement 
government.

SEC. 404. SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.

    The sanctions the President may impose with respect to a person 
under sections 402 and 403 are the following:
            (1) Export-import bank assistance.--The President may 
        direct the Export-Import Bank of the United States not to give 
        approval to the issuance of any guarantee, insurance, extension 
        of credit, or participation in the extension of credit in 
        connection with the export of any goods or services to the 
        person.
            (2) Procurement sanction.--The President may prohibit the 
        United States Government from procuring, or entering into any 
        contract for the procurement of, any goods or services from the 
        person.
            (3) Arms export prohibition.--The President may prohibit 
        United States Government sales to the person of any item on the 
        United States Munitions List under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms 
        Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)) and require 
        termination of sales to the person of any defense articles, 
        defense services, or design and construction services under 
        that Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.).
            (4) Dual-use export prohibition.--The President may deny 
        licenses and suspend existing licenses for the transfer to the 
        person of items the export of which is controlled under the 
        Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.) 
        (as in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
        Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)) or the Export 
        Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of 
        title 15, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (5) Blocking of assets.--The President may, pursuant to 
        such regulations as the President may prescribe, block and 
        prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in 
        property of the person if such property and interests in 
        property are in the United States, come within the United 
        States, or are or come within the possession or control of a 
        United States person.
            (6) Visa ineligibility.--In the case of a person that is an 
        alien, the President may direct the Secretary of State to deny 
        a visa to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to exclude 
        from the United States, the person, subject to regulatory 
        exceptions to permit the United States to comply with the 
        Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of 
        America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations and 
        other applicable international obligations.

SEC. 405. WAIVERS.

    (a) General Waiver Authority.--The President may waive the 
application of section 402 or 403 to a person or category of persons 
for a period of 180 days, and may renew the waiver for additional 
periods of not more than 180 days, if the President determines and 
reports to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days that 
the waiver is in the vital national security interests of the United 
States.
    (b) Waiver for Humanitarian Needs.--The President may waive the 
application of section 403 to a person for a period of not more than 
180 days, and may renew the waiver for additional periods of not more 
than 180 days, if the President determines and reports to the 
appropriate congressional committees every 180 days that the waiver is 
to necessary to permit the person to conduct or facilitate a 
transaction that is necessary to meet humanitarian needs of the people 
of Syria.
    (c) Form.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) or (b) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

SEC. 406. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SANCTIONS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the President should work closely 
with allies of the United States to obtain broad multilateral support 
for countries to impose sanctions that are equivalent to the sanctions 
set forth in this title under the laws of those countries.

             TITLE V--INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE OPPOSITION

SEC. 501. LETHAL AND INCREASED NON-LETHAL SUPPORT FOR THE VETTED 
              OPPOSITION.

    (a) Authorization To Provide Lethal and Increased Non-Lethal 
Assistance to Vetted Elements of the Syrian Opposition.--Subject to 
subsection (b), the President is authorized, notwithstanding any other 
provision of law that restricts military, non-military, or economic 
assistance to Syria, to provide defense articles, defense services, and 
military training to specific members of the Syrian Supreme Military 
Council, particular units of the Free Syrian Army, and other Syrian 
entities opposed to the government of Bashar al-Assad, with funds made 
available for foreign assistance.
    (b) Notification.--Not later than 15 days before obligating funds, 
otherwise providing any assistance, or otherwise making any commitment 
to provide the assistance described in subsection (a), the President 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees--
            (1) a certification that--
                    (A) assistance to any individual, unit, or entities 
                will be provided consistent with section 620M of the 
                Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d);
                    (B) the individual to whom assistance is being 
                provided or is planned to be provided, or leader or 
                leaders of any unit or entity, including all senior 
                members of such unit or entity, to which assistance is 
                being provided or is planned to be provided, are, based 
                on the information available to the United States 
                Government--
                            (i) not an organization or person that has 
                        been designated, or is affiliated with any 
                        organization or person that has been 
                        designated, as a foreign terrorist organization 
                        pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and 
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) or a 
                        ``Specially Designated Global Terrorist'' 
                        pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 
                        49079);
                            (ii) committed to rejecting terrorism and 
                        extremist ideologies;
                            (iii) opposed to the carrying out of 
                        sectarian violence and revenge killings;
                            (iv) committed to civilian rule, including 
                        subordinating the military to civilian 
                        authority, and the rule of law for Syria;
                            (v) committed to cooperating with 
                        international counterterrorism and 
                        nonproliferation efforts; and
                            (vi) supporting regional stability and 
                        avoiding interference in the affairs of 
                        neighboring countries;
                    (C) any military education and training should 
                include information and training on appropriate 
                leadership and command skills, protection of critical 
                infrastructure, observance of and respect for 
                applicable laws of armed conflict, respect for the rule 
                of law, and the importance of civilian control of the 
                military, and, when appropriate, on securing chemical 
                weapons sites and other important sites; and
                    (D) assistance provided under this section to any 
                specific individual or entity shall immediately be 
                terminated if the United States Government receives 
                information that indicates that the individual or 
                entity is not in compliance with the terms laid out in 
                subparagraph (B); and
            (2) a written policy justification, budget, execution plan 
        and timeline, and anticipated completion date for the planned 
        activity.
    (c) Restriction on Anti-Aircraft Defensive Systems.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2), no 
        anti-aircraft defensive systems may be transferred as part of 
        the assistance authorized under this section.
            (2) Waiver.--The President may waive the restriction under 
        paragraph (1) if--
                    (A) it is in the vital national security interest 
                to do so;
                    (B) the President notifies Congress not later than 
                15 days before exercising such waiver;
                    (C) not later than 15 days before exercising such 
                waiver, the President transmits to the appropriate 
                congressional committees a report described in 
                subsection (e), together with the certification 
                required under subsection (b)(1) specifically with 
                respect to anti-aircraft defensive systems;
                    (D) the President certifies that--
                            (i) the systems provided have been equipped 
                        with appropriate tracking, disabling, or anti-
                        tamper devices; or
                            (ii) effective end use monitoring, 
                        including appropriate disposition of systems, 
                        is in place; and
                    (E) the President certifies that the United States 
                has consulted with regional allies regarding the 
                systems provided.
    (d) Code of Conduct.--The United States Government shall encourage 
any entity receiving assistance pursuant to subsection (a) to commit to 
a code of conduct that includes respect for applicable laws of armed 
conflict, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to refrain from 
sectarian violence and revenge killings.
    (e) Reporting Requirement.--In the event that the President 
exercises the authority in subsection (a), the President shall submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees every 90 days thereafter 
until such time as the authority is no longer being exercised, a 
detailed report on--
            (1) the education, training or assistance provided;
            (2) the vetting conducted to satisfy the certification 
        requirement in subsection (b)(1);
            (3) steps taken to encourage the development of a code of 
        conduct outlined in subsection (c);
            (4) an assessment of the current military capacity of 
        opposition forces receiving assistance;
            (5) an assessment of the ability of opposition forces 
        inside and outside of Syrian to establish military activities 
        impacting Syria, together with a practicable timetable for 
        accomplishing these objectives;
            (6) an assessment of the ability of opposition groups to 
        establish effective military control over Syria; and
            (7) a description of the financial and materiel resources 
        currently available to opposition forces.
    (f) Sunset Provision.--Unless specifically renewed, the authority 
described in subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2015.
                                 <all>
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