[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.
                                 <all>