(K) is in the process of organizing the safe 
and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and in-
ternally displaced persons to their homes so 
that Syrians may return without fear of ret-
ribution by the Government of Syria or associ-
ated forces. 
(2) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—A certification shall 
be in effect under this subsection for a period of 90 
days beginning on the date on which the President 
submits the certification to the appropriate congres-
sional committees. 
(3) RENEWAL OR REPORT.—Not later than 90 
days after the date on which the President submits 
to the appropriate congressional committees a cer-
tification under this subsection the President shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
either— 
(A) a new certification under this sub-
section indicating that the conditions described 
in paragraph (1) are continuing to be met; or 
(B) a report that— 
(i) describes why the President is un-
able to make a new certification under this 
subsection; and
(ii) contains a certification that no 
funds will be obligated or expended to pro-
vide assistance described in subsection (a) 
in contravention of subsection (a). 
(c) EXCEPTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The limitation on assistance 
under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect 
to— 
(A) assistance for projects to be adminis-
tered by local organizations that reflect the 
aims, needs, and priorities of local communities 
in Syria; 
(B) assistance for projects to meet basic 
human needs in Syria, including— 
(i) drought relief; 
(ii) assistance to refugees, internally 
displaced persons, and conflict victims; 
(iii) the distribution of food and medi-
cine; and 
(iv) the provision of health services; 
and 
(C) assistance to carry out the activities 
described in subsection (b)(1)(G). 
(2) REPORT AND DETERMINATION.—The Presi-
dent shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report and determination for each of 
the fiscal years 2019 through 2023 on each project 
with respect to which this subsection applies during 
the preceding fiscal year, including— 
(A) a description of the project; 
(B) a description of how United States 
funds with respect to the project were used; 
(C) the geographic location or locations of 
the project; and 
(D) a determination with respect to wheth-
er the project benefited an official of the Assad 
regime. 
(3) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, the 
United States should not fund projects described in 
this subsection with respect to which the Govern-
ment of Syria, any official of the Government of 
Syria, and any immediate family member of an offi-
cial of the Government of Syria have a financial or 
material interest or are affiliated with the imple-
menting partner of the project. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means—
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate. 
(2) ASSOCIATED FORCES.—The term ‘‘associ-
ated forces’’ includes forces of the Government of 
the Russian Federation, the Government of the Is-
lamic Republic of Iran, Iranian-backed proxy mili-
tias, and Hezbollah. 
(3) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.—The term ‘‘di-
rectly or indirectly’’ includes assistance to multilat-
eral institutions and international governmental or-
ganizations, such as the United Nations and related 
agencies, the International Monetary Fund, and the 
World Bank. 
SEC. 5. REPORT ON DELIVERY OF UNITED STATES HUMANI-
TARIAN ASSISTANCE TO SYRIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report on delivery of United 
States humanitarian assistance to Syria.
(b) MATTERS TO BE INCLUDED.—The report re-
quired by subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the challenges of access to 
areas of Syria controlled by the Government of Syria 
or associated forces for purposes of providing United 
States humanitarian assistance, including assistance 
funded through multilateral institutions and inter-
national governmental organizations. 
(2) A description of where such United States 
humanitarian assistance has been able to be deliv-
ered in such areas. 
(3) A description of where such United States 
humanitarian assistance has been denied access in 
such areas. 
(4) A description of how the United States Gov-
ernment is working to improve access to such areas. 
(5) A description of the roles and responsibil-
ities of United States allies and partners and other 
countries in the region in ensuring access to such 
areas. 
(6) A description of how such United States hu-
manitarian assistance and implementing partners of 
such assistance are monitored and evaluated. 
(7) A description of the major challenges that 
the United States faces in monitoring such United
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4681 
AN ACT 
To limit assistance for areas of Syria controlled by 
the Government of Syria or associated forces, 
and for other purposes.