[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5593-S5594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SYRIA SANCTIONS ACT OF 2011

  Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I would now like to address a second 
issue that is causing me very grave concern. I would like to talk for a 
moment about a piece of legislation I have introduced with Senators 
Kirk and Lieberman to toughen the sanctions on Syria.
  Syrian President Assad has killed over 2,000 of his own people in an 
alarming torrent of violence from one of the world's most repressive 
regimes--2,200 people are estimated to have died so far.
  Assad's aggression against the Syrian people is matched by his 
subversive aggression abroad. His regime is a state sponsor of 
terrorism, one of Iran's closest allies, and a key backer of Hamas and 
Hezbollah. Assad's regime has for years helped foreign fighters enter 
Iraq and kill our U.S. soldiers.
  In response to this violent crackdown, I introduced the bipartisan 
Syria Sanctions Act of 2011 to hold Assad's regime accountable. This 
legislation would block access to the U.S. market for companies that 
invest in Syria's energy sector, purchase the county's oil, and sell 
gasoline to Syria. This sanction is critical, since Syria's energy 
sector accounts for one-third of that state's revenue.
  I ask my colleagues to sponsor S. 1472 and send a clear message to 
Syria that until the Assad regime responds to the democratic urging of 
its people, halts its nuclear development, and ends support for 
terrorism, Syria will not and should not have access to the global 
economy, and any company that does business with Syria will no longer 
have access to the global economy.

[[Page S5594]]

  This legislation is very clear and simple: that no company should be 
allowed to put their profits before our national security.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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