US senator hails repeal of Caesar Act as turning point for Syria’s recovery

WASHINGTON

US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on Wednesday described the repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria as a pivotal moment for that country’s future.

"Today’s repeal of the Caesar Act is a decisive step toward giving the Syrian people a real chance to rebuild after decades of unimaginable suffering," Shaheen, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

Her remarks came after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- a $901 billion measure that outlines the Pentagon’s policies and spending for 2026.

Key provisions in the 3,086-page bill include $800 million for Ukraine; $400 million for each of the next two years as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and repealing Caesar sanctions on Syria under the former regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Shaheen credited bipartisan cooperation for the inclusion, singling out Rep. Joe Wilson for his leadership, as well as US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack for what she described as sustained diplomatic engagement focused on regional security.

"This step will advance America’s national security by promoting stability in an unsettled region, helping to deny ISIS a safe haven and preventing Iran from exercising its dangerous influence," she said.

In August, Shaheen led a bipartisan congressional delegation, including Wilson, to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. She met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York and again during his visit to Washington, DC.