The long-debated Caesar Act, a sanctions law imposed on Syria in 2020 to punish the Assad regime, is now on the verge of repeal after the US Senate voted to eliminate it as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The repeal marks a potential turning point in US–Syria relations and in the humanitarian and economic recovery of a country struggling to rebuild after years of conflict.
Senate Vote Marks “Dramatic Victory”
Syrian American Council member Muhammad Ghanem announced that the Senate approved its version of the defense budget with a 77–22 vote, including a provision for the “unconditional repeal” of the Caesar Act by the end of 2025. Ghanem described the move as “a dramatic victory in every sense of the word.”
According to Ghanem, amendments to the bill converted previously binding conditions into non-binding objectives, giving Congress the option—but not the obligation—to review the sanctions’ reinstatement after 12 months if certain political benchmarks are not met. The bill now proceeds to a conference committee with the House of Representatives before being sent to the president for final approval.
Republican Sen. Joe Wilson welcomed the outcome, saying in a post on X that “these harsh sanctions were imposed on a regime that, fortunately, no longer exists,” and that “Syria’s success now depends on their complete and total removal.”
Syrian Government Welcomes Shift
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the Senate vote as a “constructive step” toward rebuilding ties with Washington. In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said that the Caesar Act “was imposed on the [Assad] regime as a result of its crimes. Its continuation after the regime’s demise will have grave humanitarian and economic repercussions on the Syrian people.”
The ministry added that the decision “represents a constructive step toward reorienting bilateral relations between the Syria and the US” and expressed hope for “continued dialogue and coordination” to complete the full repeal process.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani echoed that sentiment in a post on X, calling the decision “the beginning of a new era of construction and revitalization.” He said the move “will restore the dignity of the Syrian people and their right to develop their land and build their future.”
Religious Leaders Add Their Voice
Syrian Christians USA, a non-profit organization promoting friendship between Syrians and Americans, released an open letter to Congress signed by the Christian clergy of Syria. The letter called for the “full and permanent repeal” of the Caesar Act, citing its devastating effects on Syria’s economy and infrastructure and its role in driving the emigration of Christians from their homeland.
“We firmly believe that justice cannot be built on sanctions that burden entire populations,” the clergy wrote, urging Congress “to uphold the values of freedom, dignity, and justice by repealing this unjust law.”
Officials Optimistic of Opening New Chapter
With both US lawmakers and Syrian officials signaling optimism, observers say the repeal could usher in a new phase of cooperation and reconstruction. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the vote “lays the foundation for a more stable and cooperative phase at the regional and international levels.”
If finalized, the repeal would end one of the most comprehensive sanctions regimes ever imposed on Syria—signaling that, ten months after the fall of the criminal Assad’s regime, Washington and Damascus may finally be ready to turn the page.
