[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 52 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 52
To halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, encourage a
negotiated political settlement, and hold Syrian human rights abusers
accountable for their crimes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 8, 2019
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, encourage a
negotiated political settlement, and hold Syrian human rights abusers
accountable for their crimes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Caesar Syria
Civilian Protection Act of 2019''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Statement of policy.
TITLE I--ADDITIONAL ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY
WITH RESPECT TO SYRIA
Sec. 101. Measures with respect to Central Bank of Syria.
Sec. 102. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in
certain transactions.
Sec. 103. Strategy relating to areas of Syria in which civilians are
subject to forced displacement.
TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2012
Sec. 201. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who
are responsible for or complicit in human
rights abuses committed against citizens of
Syria or their family members.
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods
or technologies to Syria that are likely to
be used to commit human rights abuses.
TITLE III--ASSISTANCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA
Sec. 301. Briefing on monitoring and evaluating of ongoing assistance
programs in Syria and to the Syrian people.
Sec. 302. Assessment of potential methods to enhance the protection of
civilians.
Sec. 303. Assistance to support entities taking actions relating to
gathering evidence for investigations into
war crimes or crimes against humanity in
Syria since March 2011.
Sec. 304. Codification of certain services in support of
nongovernmental organizations' activities
authorized.
Sec. 305. Briefing on strategy to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. Suspension of sanctions.
Sec. 402. Waivers and exemptions.
Sec. 403. Implementation and regulatory authorities.
Sec. 404. Cost limitation.
Sec. 405. Authority to consolidate reports.
Sec. 406. Rule of construction.
Sec. 407. Sunset.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States that diplomatic and coercive
economic means should be utilized to compel the government of Bashar
al-Assad to halt its murderous attacks on the Syrian people and to
support a transition to a government in Syria that respects the rule of
law, human rights, and peaceful co-existence with its neighbors.
TITLE I--ADDITIONAL ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY
WITH RESPECT TO SYRIA
SEC. 101. MEASURES WITH RESPECT TO CENTRAL BANK OF SYRIA.
(a) Determination Regarding Central Bank of Syria.--Not later than
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall determine, under section 5318A of title 31, United
States Code, whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the
Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money
laundering concern.
(b) Enhanced Due Diligence and Reporting Requirements.--If the
Secretary of the Treasury determines under subsection (a) that
reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Central Bank of Syria
is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Federal functional regulators (as
defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6809)),
shall impose one or more of the special measures described in section
5318A(b) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Central
Bank of Syria.
(c) Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after making a
determination under subsection (a) with respect to whether the
Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary
money laundering concern, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
that includes the reasons for the determination.
(2) Form.--A report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.
(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
Senate.
SEC. 102. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN PERSONS THAT ENGAGE IN
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.
(a) Imposition of Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--On and after the date that is 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President
shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with
respect to a foreign person if the President determines that
the foreign person, on or after such date of enactment,
knowingly engages in an activity described in paragraph (2).
(2) Activities described.--A foreign person engages in an
activity described in this paragraph if the foreign person--
(A) knowingly provides significant financial,
material, or technological support to, or knowingly
engages in a significant transaction with--
(i) the Government of Syria (including any
entity owned or controlled by the Government of
Syria) or a senior political figure of the
Government of Syria;
(ii) a foreign person that is a military
contractor, mercenary, or a paramilitary force
knowingly operating in a military capacity
inside Syria for or on behalf of the Government
of Syria, the Government of the Russian
Federation, or the Government of Iran; or
(iii) a foreign person subject to sanctions
pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)
with respect to Syria or any other provision of
law that imposes sanctions with respect to
Syria;
(B) knowingly sells or provides significant goods,
services, technology, information, or other support
that significantly facilitates the maintenance or
expansion of the Government of Syria's domestic
production of natural gas, petroleum, or petroleum
products;
(C) knowingly sells or provides aircraft or spare
aircraft parts that are used for military purposes in
Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria to
any foreign person operating in an area directly or
indirectly controlled by the Government of Syria or
foreign forces associated with the Government of Syria;
(D) knowingly provides significant goods or
services associated with the operation of aircraft that
are used for military purposes in Syria for or on
behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign person
operating in an area described in subparagraph (C); or
(E) knowingly, directly or indirectly, provides
significant construction or engineering services to the
Government of Syria.
(3) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that,
in implementing this section, the President should consider
financial support under paragraph (2)(A) to include the
provision of loans, credits, or export credits.
(b) Sanctions Described.--
(1) In general.--The sanctions to be imposed with respect
to a foreign person subject to subsection (a) are the
following:
(A) Blocking of property.--The President shall
exercise all of the powers granted to the President
under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to
block and prohibit all transactions in property and
interests in property of the foreign person if such
property and interests in property are in the United
States, come within the United States, or are or come
within the possession or control of a United States
person.
(B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or
parole.--
(i) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien
who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of
Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such
Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe,
has knowingly engaged in any activity described
in subsection (a)(2) is--
(I) inadmissible to the United
States;
(II) ineligible to receive a visa
or other documentation to enter the
United States; and
(III) otherwise ineligible to be
admitted or paroled into the United
States or to receive any other benefit
under the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(ii) Current visas revoked.--
(I) In general.--The issuing
consular officer, the Secretary of
State, or the Secretary of Homeland
Security (or a designee of one of such
Secretaries) shall, in accordance with
section 221(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)),
revoke any visa or other entry
documentation issued to an alien
described in clause (i) regardless of
when the visa or other entry
documentation is issued.
(II) Effect of revocation.--A
revocation under subclause (I)--
(aa) shall take effect
immediately; and
(bb) shall automatically
cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in
the alien's possession.
(2) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections
(b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person
that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or
causes a violation of regulations promulgated under section
403(b) to carry out paragraph (1)(A) to the same extent that
such penalties apply to a person that commits an unlawful act
described in section 206(a) of that Act.
(3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply
with respect to an alien if admitting the alien into the United
States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with
the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
States, or other applicable international obligations.
SEC. 103. STRATEGY RELATING TO AREAS OF SYRIA IN WHICH CIVILIANS ARE
SUBJECT TO FORCED DISPLACEMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall--
(1) identify the areas described in subsection (b); and
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees the
strategy described in subsection (c).
(b) Areas Described.--The areas described in this subsection are
areas in Syria that the President determines--
(1) are under the control of--
(A) the Government of Syria;
(B) the Government of the Russian Federation;
(C) the Government of Iran; or
(D) a foreign person described in section
102(a)(2)(A)(ii); and
(2) are areas in which civilians have been subject to
forced displacement by--
(A) a government specified in subparagraph (A),
(B), or (C) of paragraph (1); or
(B) a foreign person described in section
102(a)(2)(A)(ii).
(c) Strategy Described.--The strategy described in this subsection
is a strategy to deter foreign persons from entering into contracts
related to reconstruction in the areas described in subsection (b) for
or on behalf of--
(1) a government specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)
of subsection (b)(1); or
(2) a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii).
(d) Form.--The strategy required by subsection (a)(2) shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2012
SEC. 201. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN PERSONS WHO
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
COMMITTED AGAINST CITIZENS OF SYRIA OR THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS.
(a) In General.--Section 702 of the Syria Human Rights
Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8791) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 702. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN PERSONS WHO
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
COMMITTED AGAINST CITIZENS OF SYRIA OR THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS.
``(a) In General.--The President shall impose the sanctions
described in subsection (c) with respect to each person on the list
required by subsection (b).
``(b) List of Persons Who Are Responsible for or Complicit in
Serious Human Rights Abuses.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of
2019, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a list of foreign persons that the
President determines are knowingly responsible for or complicit
in serious human rights abuses committed against citizens of
Syria or their family members, regardless of whether such
abuses occurred in Syria.
``(2) Inclusion of certain persons.--In developing the list
required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider for
inclusion on the list, among others, the following:
``(A) the President of Syria.
``(B) The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
of Syria.
``(C) The Council of Ministers of Syria.
``(D) The heads of the armed forces of Syria,
including the land forces, air forces, and intelligence
services.
``(E) The heads of the Ministry of Interior of
Syria, including the Political Security Directorate,
the General Intelligence Directorate, and the National
Police Force.
``(F) The commanders and deputy commanders of the
Fourth Armored Division of the armed forces of Syria.
``(G) The commander of the Republican Guard of
Syria.
``(H) The Advisor for Strategic Affairs to the
President of Syria.
``(I) The director and deputy director of the
Scientific Studies and Research Center of Syria.
``(J) The heads of prisons under the control of the
Government of Syria.
``(K) The governors and other heads of the security
branches of the 14 provinces of Syria who are appointed
by the President of Syria.
``(3) Updates of list.--The President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under
paragraph (1) not later than 300 days after the date of the
enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019
and annually thereafter for a period of 5 years.
``(4) Form.--The list required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified
annex.
``(c) Sanctions Described.--
``(1) In general.--The sanctions to be imposed with respect
to a foreign person under subsection (a) are the following:
``(A) In general.--The President shall exercise all
powers granted by the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent
necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property of a person on the
list required by subsection (b) if such property and
interests in property are in the United States, come
within the United States, or are or come within the
possession or control of a United States person.
``(B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or
parole.--
``(i) Visas, admission, or parole.--An
alien who the Secretary of State or the
Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee
of one of such Secretaries) identifies as on
the list required by subsection (b) is--
``(I) inadmissible to the United
States;
``(II) ineligible to receive a visa
or other documentation to enter the
United States; and
``(III) otherwise ineligible to be
admitted or paroled into the United
States or to receive any other benefit
under the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
``(ii) Current visas revoked.--
``(I) In general.--The issuing
consular officer, the Secretary of
State, or the Secretary of Homeland
Security (or a designee of one of such
Secretaries) shall, in accordance with
section 221(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)),
revoke any visa or other entry
documentation issued to an alien who
the Secretary of State or the Secretary
of Homeland Security (or a designee of
one of such Secretaries) identifies as
on the list required by subsection (b),
regardless of when the visa or other
documentation is issued.
``(II) Effect of revocation.--A
revocation under subclause (I)--
``(aa) shall take effect
immediately; and
``(bb) shall automatically
cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in
the alien's possession.
``(2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of
paragraph (1)(A) or any regulation, license, or order issued to
carry out paragraph (1)(A) shall be subject to the penalties
set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to
the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
``(3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply
with respect to an alien if admitting the alien into the United
States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with
the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
States, or other applicable international agreements.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.),
relevant Executive orders, regulations, or other provisions of law.''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
President should impose sanctions under section 702 of the Syria Human
Rights Accountability Act of 2012, as amended by subsection (a), for--
(1) the deliberate targeting of civilian schools,
hospitals, or markets; and
(2) the deliberate diversion, hindering, or blocking of
access for humanitarian purposes, including access across
borders and conflict lines, with the intent to inflict
suffering on civilians.
SEC. 202. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSFER OF GOODS
OR TECHNOLOGIES TO SYRIA THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE USED TO
COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.
Section 703(b)(2)(C) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act
of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8792(b)(2)(C)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) any article--
``(I) designated by the President
for purposes of the United States
Munitions List under section 38(a)(1)
of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2778(a)(1)); and
``(II) that the President
determines is significant for purposes
of the imposition of sanctions under
subsection (a); or
``(iv) other goods or technologies that the
President determines are used by the Government
of Syria to commit human rights abuses against
the people of Syria.''.
TITLE III--ASSISTANCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA
SEC. 301. BRIEFING ON MONITORING AND EVALUATING OF ONGOING ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS IN SYRIA AND TO THE SYRIAN PEOPLE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development shall brief the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on the monitoring and
evaluation of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and for the Syrian
people, including assistance provided through multilateral
organizations.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The briefing required by subsection
(a) shall include a description of--
(1) the specific project monitoring and evaluation efforts,
including measurable goals and performance metrics for
assistance in Syria;
(2) the memoranda of understanding entered into by the
Department of State, the United States Agency for International
Development, and their respective Inspectors General, and the
multilateral organizations through which United States
assistance will be delivered that formalize requirements for
the sharing of information between such entities for the
conduct of audits, investigations, and evaluations; and
(3) the major challenges to monitoring and evaluating such
programs.
SEC. 302. ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL METHODS TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF
CIVILIANS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees on the potential effectiveness, risks, and
operational requirements of military and non-military means to enhance
the protection of civilians inside Syria, especially civilians who are
in besieged areas, trapped at borders, or internally displaced.
(b) Consultation.--The briefing required by subsection (a) shall be
informed by consultations with the Department of State, the United
States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense,
and international and local humanitarian aid organizations operating in
Syria.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Armed Services of the Senate.
SEC. 303. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT ENTITIES TAKING ACTIONS RELATING TO
GATHERING EVIDENCE FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO WAR CRIMES OR
CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN SYRIA SINCE MARCH 2011.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
Secretary of State, after consultation with the Attorney General and
the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, is authorized,
consistent with the national interest, to provide assistance to support
entities that are conducting criminal investigations, supporting
prosecutions, or collecting evidence and preserving the chain of
custody for such evidence for eventual prosecution, against those who
have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria,
including the aiding and abetting of such crimes by foreign governments
and organizations supporting the Government of Syria, since March 2011.
(b) Limitation.--No assistance may be provided under subsection (a)
while President Bashar al-Assad remains in power--
(1) to build the investigative or judicial capacities of
the Government of Syria; or
(2) to support prosecutions in the domestic courts in
Syria.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate on assistance provided under subsection
(a).
SEC. 304. CODIFICATION OF CERTAIN SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF
NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS' ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to certain
services in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities
authorized), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment
of this Act, shall--
(1) remain in effect on and after such date of enactment;
and
(2) in the case of a nongovernmental organization that is
authorized to export or reexport services to Syria under such
section on the day before such date of enactment, apply to such
organization on and after such date of enactment to the same
extent and in the same manner as such section applied to such
organization on the day before such date of enactment.
(b) Exception.--
(1) In general.--Section 542.516 of title 31, Code of
Federal Regulations, as codified under subsection (a), shall
not apply with respect to a foreign person that has been
designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section
219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), or
otherwise designated as a terrorist organization, by the
Secretary of State, in consultation with or upon the request of
the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(2) Effective date.--Paragraph (1) shall apply with respect
to a foreign person on and after the date on which the
designation of that person as a terrorist organization is
published in the Federal Register.
SEC. 305. BRIEFING ON STRATEGY TO FACILITATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees on the strategy of the President to help
facilitate the ability of humanitarian organizations to access
financial services to help facilitate the safe and timely delivery of
assistance to communities in need in Syria.
(b) Consideration of Data From Other Countries and Nongovernmental
Organizations.--In preparing the strategy required by subsection (a),
the President shall consider credible data already obtained by other
countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations
operating in Syria.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) In General.--The President may suspend in whole or in part the
imposition of sanctions otherwise required under this Act or any
amendment made by this Act for periods not to exceed 180 days if the
President determines that the following criteria have been met in
Syria:
(1) The air space over Syria is no longer being utilized by
the Government of Syria or the Government of the Russian
Federation to target civilian populations through the use of
incendiary devices, including barrel bombs, chemical weapons,
and conventional arms, including air-delivered missiles and
explosives.
(2) Areas besieged by the Government of Syria, the
Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran,
or a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii) are
no longer cut off from international aid and have regular
access to humanitarian assistance, freedom of travel, and
medical care.
(3) The Government of Syria is releasing all political
prisoners forcibly held within the prison system of the regime
of Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria is allowing full
access to the same facilities for investigations by appropriate
international human rights organizations.
(4) The forces of the Government of Syria, the Government
of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran, and any
foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii) are no
longer engaged in deliberate targeting of medical facilities,
schools, residential areas, and community gathering places,
including markets, in violation of international norms.
(5) The Government of Syria is--
(A) taking steps to verifiably fulfill its
commitments under the Convention on the Prohibition of
the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of
Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, done at
Geneva September 3, 1992, and entered into force April
29, 1997 (commonly known as the ``Chemical Weapons
Convention''), and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons, done at Washington, London, and
Moscow July 1, 1968, and entered into force March 5,
1970 (21 UST 483); and
(B) making tangible progress toward becoming a
signatory to the Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production and Stockpiling of
Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on
their Destruction, done at Washington, London, and
Moscow April 10, 1972, and entered into force March 26,
1975 (26 UST 583).
(6) The Government of Syria is permitting the safe,
voluntary, and dignified return of Syrians displaced by the
conflict.
(7) The Government of Syria is taking verifiable steps to
establish meaningful accountability for perpetrators of war
crimes in Syria and justice for victims of war crimes committed
by the Assad regime, including by participation in a credible
and independent truth and reconciliation process.
(b) Briefing Required.--Not later than 30 days after the President
makes a determination described in subsection (a), the President shall
provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the
determination and the suspension of sanctions pursuant to the
determination.
(c) Reimposition of Sanctions.--Any sanctions suspended under
subsection (a) shall be reimposed if the President determines that the
criteria described in that subsection are no longer being met.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of the President to terminate the
application of sanctions under section 102 with respect to a person
that no longer engages in activities described in subsection (a)(2) of
that section.
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.
SEC. 402. WAIVERS AND EXEMPTIONS.
(a) Exemptions.--The following activities and transactions shall be
exempt from sanctions authorized under this Act or any amendment made
by this Act:
(1) Any activity subject to the reporting requirements
under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3091 et seq.), or to any authorized intelligence activities of
the United States.
(2) Any transaction necessary to comply with United States
obligations under--
(A) the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the
United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947,
and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the
United Nations and the United States;
(B) the Convention on Consular Relations, done at
Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19,
1967; or
(C) any other international agreement to which the
United States is a party.
(b) Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may, for periods not to
exceed 180 days, waive the application of any provision of this
Act with respect to a foreign person if the President certifies
to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver
is in the national security interests of the United States.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the issuance of
a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter
while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief
the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the
waiver.
(c) Humanitarian Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may waive, for renewable
periods not to exceed 2 years, the application of any provision
of this Act with respect to a nongovernmental organization
providing humanitarian assistance not covered by the
authorization described in section 304 if the President
certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such
a waiver is important to address a humanitarian need and is
consistent with the national security interests of the United
States.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the issuance of
a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter
while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief
the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the
waiver.
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.
SEC. 403. IMPLEMENTATION AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.
(a) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704)
for purposes of carrying out this Act and the amendments made by this
Act.
(b) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall, not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate
regulations as necessary for the implementation of this Act and the
amendments made by this Act.
SEC. 404. COST LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of
this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall
be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.
SEC. 405. AUTHORITY TO CONSOLIDATE REPORTS.
(a) In General.--Any reports required to be submitted to the
appropriate congressional committees under this Act or any amendment
made by this Act that are subject to a deadline for submission
consisting of the same unit of time may be consolidated into a single
report that is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees
pursuant to such deadline. The consolidated reports shall contain all
information required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act,
in addition to all other elements mandated by previous law.
(b) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
SEC. 406. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of
the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers
Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or any other provision of law.
SEC. 407. SUNSET.
This Act shall cease to be effective on the date that is 5 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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