US Senate votes in favor of lifting Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

The US Senate voted Tuesday to lift sanctions imposed by the United States on Syria during the rule of ousted President Bashar al Assad.

This vote is a “routine procedure” before the official voting session, to prevent any disruption during the final voting.

The US Senate voted on the National Defense Budget Bill for the fiscal year 2026, which includes a provision that repeals the Caesar Act sanctions.

The voting process witnessed 76 senators voting in favor of activating the so-called end of debate on the proposal by approving the House of Representatives’ amendment to the bill, while 20 members voted against it.

After the Senate, where Republicans have a majority, holds the final vote on the bill, President Donald Trump signs it to take effect the sanctions repeal.

On December 11, 2019, the US Congress passed the Caesar Act to punish the pillars of then-Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime for war crimes committed against civilians.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of repealing these sanctions.

From his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani welcomed the vote at the time, calling it a victory for the truth and the steadfastness of Syrians, and an embodiment of the success of Syrian diplomacy.

On November 10, the US Treasury Department announced the suspension of sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act for 180 days.

Repeal of the law, which imposed wide-ranging economic and financial sanctions, would pave the way for the return of foreign investment and aid to support the new Syrian administration.

The Caesar Act was signed during Trump’s first term, but developments in Syria late last year prompted him to work to repeal it.