Syria Sanctions Accountability Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-4427
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Introduced: 2025-07-16
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation

Aviation and airports

Congressional oversight

Detention of persons

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Economic development

Firearms and explosives

Foreign aid and international relief

Foreign and international banking

Foreign property

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Government lending and loan guarantees

Human rights

International monetary system and foreign exchange

International organizations and cooperation

Middle East

Multilateral development programs

Religion

Sanctions

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Syria

Trade restrictions
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-22
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 31 - 23.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4427 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 16, 2025 Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services , and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs , and 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 A BILL To review banking restrictions, strengthen anti-money laundering capacity, and update sanctions with respect to the Government of Syria, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Syria Sanctions Accountability Act of 2025 . 2. Review of exceptive relief for the Commercial Bank of Syria Not later than 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate that contains the following: (1) An evaluation of the impact of the exceptive relief provided by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under section 5318(a)(7) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Commercial Bank of Syria on May 23, 2025, including an assessment of whether such exceptive relief advanced the national security or foreign policy objectives of the United States. (2) A recommendation of whether or not to continue exceptive relief or revise any finding with respect to the Commercial Bank of Syria under section 5318A(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code. 3. Actions at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (a) In general The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Directors at the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to use the voice and vote of the United States to support the following: (1) The restoration of sound data reporting and regular economic monitoring in Syria. (2) Technical assistance for the Government of Syria to improve financial connectivity and strengthen measures, consistent with international standards, regarding anti-money laundering, weapons non-proliferation, and anti-corruption. (3) A strategy to address priorities for economic growth in Syria. (b) Congressional briefings Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 1 year thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on the activities described in subsection (a). (c) Sunset The preceding provisions of this section shall have no force or effect beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Export-Import Bank review of country limitation schedule Within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States shall— (1) determine whether any country limitation applicable to the Bank with respect to Syria is appropriate; and (2) brief the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on the determination. 5. Modification of sanctions with respect to the Government of Syria The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (title LXXIV of division F of Public Law 116–92 ; 22 U.S.C. 8791 note) is amended— (1) in section 7431(a)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking for renewable periods not to exceed 180 days ; (B) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) and inserting the following: (1) The air space over Syria is not being utilized by the Government of Syria to target civilian populations through the use of incendiary devices, including barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and conventional arms (including air-delivered missiles and explosives). (2) Areas under the control of the Government of Syria are no longer cut off from international aid and have regular access to humanitarian assistance, freedom of travel, and medical care. (3) The Government of Syria is releasing all political prisoners forcibly held within the prison system of the regime of Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria is allowing full access to prison system facilities for investigations by appropriate international human rights organizations. (4) The forces of the Government of Syria are no longer engaged in deliberate targeting of medical facilities, schools, residential areas, and community gathering places, including markets, in violation of international norms. ; and (C) by adding after paragraph (7) the following: (8) The Government of Syria is taking verifiable steps to combat the illicit production and international illicit proliferation of Captagon. (9) The Government of Syria is not engaged in the targeting or extrajudicial detention of religious minorities in Syria. ; (2) in section 7432— (A) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1)— (I) by striking , for renewable periods not to exceed 180 days, ; and (II) by striking with respect to a foreign person ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, ; and (B) in subsection (c)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , for renewable periods not to exceed 2 years, ; and (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, ; and (3) in section 7438 to read as follows: 7438. Sunset This title shall cease to be effective on the earlier of— (1) the date that is 30 days after the date that the President reports to Congress that the Government of Syria has met the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 7431(a) for 2 consecutive years; or (2) December 31, 2029. .