Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-3202
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2023-05-11 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign property
Middle East
Political parties and affiliation
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Syria
Trade restrictions
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: 

Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023

 
This bill prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad. The bill also expands existing sanctions related to the Syrian conflict to cover additional activities and persons (individuals and entities).
 
 Current law requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons engaged in certain activities related to the conflict in Syria. For example, such sanctions must be imposed on those that knowingly (1) are responsible for serious human rights abuses against the Syrian people, or (2) provide aircraft or spare aircraft parts for military purposes on behalf of the Syrian government to a foreign person operating in certain areas of Syria. 
 
 This bill expands the types of activities that would subject a foreign person to sanctions, including knowingly (1) providing any type of aircraft or spare aircraft parts to the Syrian government, (2) diverting humanitarian assistance intended for the Syrian people, or (3) confiscating property in Syria or owned by a Syrian citizen for personal gain or political purposes. 
 
 The bill also extends these sanctions to entities owned or controlled by a sanctioned person and to a sanctioned person's adult family members. Additionally, the bill removes an exception to the sanctions related to the importation of goods. 
 
 The Department of State must provide Congress with a strategy to counter foreign government efforts to normalize relations with the Bashar al-Assad regime.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-02-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 32 (Roll no. 49). (text: 2/13/2024 CR H560-562)
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 32 (Roll no. 49). (text: 2/13/2024 CR H560-562)
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H618-619)
action_date: 2024-02-13
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-02-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3202.
action_date: 2024-02-13
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H560-564)
action_date: 2024-02-13
text: Mr. Lawler moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: Introduced in House