In a move that signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Syria, the United States House of Representatives has voted to repeal the Caesar Act sanctions, a set of restrictions that have weighed heavily on the country’s economy for years. The proposal, which passed with a bipartisan vote of 312 to 112 on Wednesday night, was included within the sprawling National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. If the bill clears the Senate and is signed into law by President Donald Trump, it will mark the end of an era for Syria—one defined by international isolation and economic hardship.
The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, first signed into law in 2019 during Donald Trump’s initial term, targeted the regime of former president Bashar al-Assad, holding it accountable for alleged war crimes and widespread human rights abuses during Syria’s brutal 13-year civil war. According to AP, the sanctions were imposed “because of Bashar al-Assad and the torture of his people,” as Representative Brian Mast of Florida put it on the House floor. Mast, who had previously opposed lifting the sanctions, explained, “We’re giving Syria a chance to chart a post-Assad future.”
The bill’s passage comes just one year after a dramatic turn of events in Syria. In December 2024, rebel forces led by the group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham toppled Assad’s regime, ending decades of oppressive rule. Assad fled to Russia, and the new government, headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, quickly set about seeking international legitimacy and relief from the crushing sanctions that had devastated the nation’s economy. According to Reuters, Syrians celebrated the first anniversary of Assad’s overthrow in December 2025 with fireworks, prayers, and a palpable sense of hope for a new chapter.
But the path forward has not been easy. While President Trump, now in his second term, has already removed many sanctions by executive action and met with President al-Sharaa, some of the most significant restrictions—those under the Caesar Act—could only be lifted by Congress. Trump has encouraged lawmakers to take this step, and Wednesday’s vote marks a significant victory for his administration’s evolving approach to Syria.
The bill’s provisions are not a blank check for Damascus, however. As reported by The National, the repeal mandates a stringent review process: every 180 days, for the next four years, the U.S. government must assess whether Syria is making progress in combating ISIS, removing foreign fighters from government roles, and upholding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. Should Syria fall short, the president retains the authority to reimpose sanctions on specific individuals until compliance is restored. “The White House could reimpose sanctions if the president views it necessary,” Mast warned, emphasizing the conditional nature of the relief.
Human rights advocates, who have long decried the humanitarian impact of sweeping economic restrictions, have welcomed the move. They argue that easing sanctions is a necessary step for Syria’s battered economy to recover after years of war. The country’s central bank governor, Abdulkader Husrieh, called the prospect of U.S. sanctions relief a “miracle” in an interview with Reuters earlier this month, underscoring the dire need for economic breathing room.
Syrian officials have been vocal in their appeals for the removal of remaining sanctions, framing it as essential for restoring economic stability and rebuilding from the devastation of war. The new government’s efforts appear to be bearing fruit not only in Washington but also on the international stage. The United Nations Security Council recently voted to remove sanctions on both President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who had been previously linked to ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda. This measure, reported by AP, reflected a broader recognition that Syria’s leadership has changed and is now distancing itself from the abuses of the Assad era.
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Syria have warmed considerably since the regime change. In May 2025, during a trip to the Gulf, President Trump announced that Washington would remove Assad-era sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department followed suit in August, taking Syria off its sanctions list. The momentum continued in June, when members of Congress introduced the legislation that would eventually become the current NDAA provision repealing the Caesar Act.
When President al-Sharaa visited Washington in November 2025, the Departments of Treasury and Commerce announced a 180-day removal of Caesar Act sanctions, with exceptions for transactions involving Russia and Iran. This waiver renewed a pause first initiated on May 23, 2025, providing temporary relief as legislators worked on a more permanent solution.
Beyond Syria, the NDAA contains sweeping provisions affecting the broader Middle East. As reported by The National, the bill includes a stipulation that U.S. aid to the Lebanese military could become contingent on measurable progress in disarming Hezbollah, a move likely to have significant repercussions for Lebanon’s internal politics. The legislation, which runs to more than 3,000 pages, also reaffirms U.S. security guarantees for Israel and includes measures designed to counter Iranian threats in the region.
For ordinary Syrians, the potential lifting of the Caesar Act sanctions represents a rare glimmer of hope after more than a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and international isolation. The one-year anniversary of Assad’s fall was marked not just by celebration but also by a sense of cautious optimism that the worst may finally be over. “We will remain here,” read a graffitied wall in Homs, captured by AP photographer Omar Sanadiki—a testament to both the resilience and the aspirations of a people who have endured so much.
Still, challenges abound. The country’s infrastructure remains in ruins, millions have been displaced, and deep political divisions persist. The new government faces the daunting task of rebuilding not just roads and cities, but also trust—both at home and abroad. The repeated reviews and the threat of reimposed sanctions serve as a reminder that the international community will be watching closely.
As the bill moves to the Senate for a final vote before the end of the year, all eyes are on Washington. If the NDAA passes and is signed into law, it will mark a turning point not only for Syria’s recovery but also for America’s role in shaping the post-war Middle East. For now, Syrians and their supporters can only wait—and hope that this long-awaited relief will bring the fresh start so many have dreamed of.
