To repeal certain Acts that impose sanctions upon Syria.
Summary
This bill, S. 3172, seeks to repeal two existing Acts that impose sanctions on Syria: the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 and the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012. The bill was introduced in the Senate on November 10, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The intended effect is to remove the legal framework for these specific sanctions against Syria. This action signals a potential shift in US foreign policy towards Syria.
The repeal would eliminate the restrictions and penalties previously imposed by these Acts.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect of this bill, if enacted, would be the removal of the specified sanctions against Syria. This could lead to increased economic activity between the US and Syria, as well as a potential shift in diplomatic relations.
It might also impact human rights considerations and regional stability, depending on the broader context of US foreign policy. The repeal could be interpreted as a softening of the US stance on the Syrian government's actions.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially improved diplomatic relations with Syria.
- Increased opportunities for US businesses to engage in trade and investment with Syria.
- Reduced compliance costs for US companies that were previously subject to the sanctions.
- Possible humanitarian benefits if the sanctions were hindering aid efforts.
- Flexibility for the US government to adjust its foreign policy approach towards Syria.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Weakening of US leverage to influence Syrian government policies on human rights and regional stability.
- Potential perception of condoning the actions of the Syrian government.
- Risk of enabling the Syrian government to further destabilize the region.
- Possible negative impact on the US's reputation among allies who support the sanctions.
- Concerns that the repeal could benefit individuals or entities associated with human rights abuses or terrorism.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill itself, which repeals existing legislation, does not directly violate any specific provision of the US Constitution. The power to impose and remove sanctions falls under the purview of Congress's authority to regulate foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8) and conduct foreign policy.
However, the constitutionality of the original Acts imposing sanctions has not been challenged in the provided text. The decision to repeal them is a policy choice within the powers granted to Congress.
The bill does not appear to infringe on any individual rights or freedoms protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).