Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad.

Highlights:

• Prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad (Sec. 2).

• Expands existing sanctions related to the Syrian conflict to cover additional activities and individuals (Sec. 2).

• Requires the President to impose visa and property-blocking sanctions on the following foreign individuals engaged in certain activities related to the conflict in Syria, including individuals who (Sec. 2):

• Are responsible for serious human rights abuses against the Syrian people; or

• Provide aircraft or spare aircraft parts for military purposes on behalf of the Syrian goverment to a foreign indvidual operating in certain areas in Syria;

• Expands the types of activities that would subject a foreign individual to sanctions, including knowingly (Sec. 2):

• Providing any type of aircraft or spare aircraft parts to the Syrian government;

• Diverting humanitarian assistance intended for the Syrian people; or

• Confiscating property in Syria or owned by a Syrian citizen for personal gain or political purposes.

• Extends these aforementioned sanctions to enties owned or controlled by a sanctioned individual or their adult family members, and repeals a previous exception to the sanctions related to the imporation of goods (Sec. 4)

• Requires the Department of State to provide congress with a strategy to counter foreign government efforts to normalize relations with the Bashar al-Assad regime (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text