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New developments in the effort to repeal Caesar Act.. Broad support within the U.S. Congress
Chuck Schumer, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has proposed integrating the bill to abolish the Caesar Act imposed on Syria into the draft defense budget for 2026. This development follows an announcement by the Syrian-American Peace and Prosperity Coalition team in Congress about receiving initial support from four House members for the bill aimed at repealing the law, which was introduced by Congressman Joe Wilson in cooperation with Congresswoman Marlin Stedman, according to Syria TV Washington correspondent Shaban Aboud.
The team confirmed meeting with Senator Rand Paul, who has also introduced a similar bill in the Senate aiming to lift sanctions on Syria. Wilson tweeted yesterday on X platform that he is grateful for the discussions with Syrian Americans about the crucial work to repeal the Caesar Act, expressing appreciation for their support for free Syria.
Congressional lawmakers aim to pass the repeal bill by including it in the 2026 defense budget, a move similar to the mechanism used to approve sanctions in 2019 when the law was included in the annual defense budget law and passed both chambers before being signed by then-President Donald Trump.
Our correspondent explained that this step means the Caesar repeal bill will not be debated independently in a voting session but will be incorporated into a comprehensive law passed automatically with the start of the new fiscal year in early October. The support from the Chair of the Senate Defense Committee, who advocated for including the bill in the Pentagon’s budget, backed by Democratic Senator Jack Reed, reflects significant political weight behind the campaign for its repeal.
Data indicate broad consensus between Republicans and Democrats in Congress to support canceling the law, with various bills introduced along these lines, most notably Congressman Joe Wilson’s bill and the proposal submitted by Senator Jeanne Shaheen in partnership with Senator Rand Paul.
Meanwhile, the project to extend sanctions for an additional two years faces increasing opposition and could be withdrawn due to partisan disagreements and unclear support. Shaban Aboud confirmed that the current congressional atmosphere is more conducive and consensual than it was before the law’s enactment in 2019, with Syrian-American organizations monitoring and endorsing the repeal effort, noting that political support is strong enough to potentially lead to the law’s cancellation unless major changes occur.
He added that the overall climate aligns with the approach initiated by former President Trump, who repeatedly spoke about the desire to lift all sanctions on Syria, and that current backing enhances the chances of passing the law. As the start of the fiscal year approaches on October 1, a vote on the Pentagon’s budget is expected in the next two months. If not voted on in September, it is likely to be approved between September and November before the President’s final signing.
