A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the ongoing conflict in Syria as it reaches its six-year mark in March, the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Syria and neighboring countries, the resulting humanitarian and national security challenges, and the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis.

Bill: 115-sres-87
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Congressional tributes
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Health personnel
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Iran
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Russia
Syria
Terrorism
United Nations
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-15
text: 
Condemns: (1) the regime of Bashar al-Assad for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Syrian conflict, and (2) the Assad regime and the government of the Russian Federation for using indiscriminate cluster munitions on civilian areas and infrastructure and for the deliberate targeting of U.N. humanitarian aid convoys.
 
Urges:
 
 
 all parties to the conflict to immediately halt indiscriminate attacks, the imposition of starvation sieges, and other forms of warfare directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure and to facilitate unfettered access to humanitarian assistance throughout Syria;
 
all parties in Syria to support full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2268, which calls for a cessation of hostilities in the conflict, except with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al Qaeda, to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of war-affected communities; and
 
the international community to continue to support neighboring countries and host communities who are supporting refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing the conflict.
 
 
Affirms: (1) the neutrality of medical professionals providing humanitarian assistance and health care on a non-political basis, (2) that the elimination of al Qaeda and ISIS safe havens in Syria is a vital U.S. national security interest, and (3) that the stability of key European and Middle Eastern partners is vital to U.S. national security and preventing the conflict from undermining that stability is a top U.S. priority.
 
Commends the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Syrian Arab Coalition, and other local, Syrian partner forces for their support of Operation Inherent Resolve and the efforts of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
 
Calls upon the President to: (1) make it U.S. policy to continue to coordinate a comprehensive and generous response to the Syrian humanitarian crisis, (2) continue active U.S. participation in a diplomatic process to achieve a political agreement, and (3) submit a strategy for providing long-term stability and security in areas seized from ISIL.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1847; text of measure as introduced: CR S1846-1847)
action_date: 2017-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate