Syria’s Caesar Act repealed by House

The United States House of Representatives has taken a major step toward ending one of Washington’s most consequential sanctions regimes on Syria.

In a sweeping bipartisan vote, lawmakers approved the repeal of the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act as part of the 2026 Fiscal Year (FY2026) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The decision, which still requires Senate approval, comes amid shifting geopolitical realities following the fall of the Assad government and a growing push in Washington to reorient US policy toward reconstruction and stabilization in Syria.

A landmark vote with significant implications

On 10 December 2025, the House voted 312-112 in favor of the $901 billion defense bill that includes a full and unconditional repeal of the Caesar Act. The legislation originally aimed to penalize the Assad regime for documented war crimes during the early years of the Syrian conflict and was built on extensive evidence of torture smuggled out by a military defector known as “Caesar.”

Lawmakers who supported the repeal argued that the landscape in Syria has fundamentally changed since the act was passed in 2019. Representative Brian Mast of Florida, speaking on the House floor, said the decision “gives Syria a chance to chart a post-Assad future,” while noting that the White House retains the authority to reimpose targeted sanctions if new violations arise.

The repeal follows months of diplomatic lobbying by Syrian officials, members of the Syrian American community, and several allied governments who argued that maintaining broad sanctions would hinder the country’s path toward economic stabilization.

Post-Assad context and new compliance requirements

Syria’s political trajectory changed dramatically in late 2024 when Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel forces toppled Bashar al-Assad, prompting the former leader to flee to Russia. Since then, President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s transitional government has sought to rebuild state institutions, restore economic activity, and end Syria’s international isolation.

In line with these developments, the US Treasury took preliminary steps earlier in 2025 to ease restrictions, including issuing General License No. 25 and later an executive order by President Trump terminating the broader Syrian Sanctions Regime. The repeal in the NDAA represents the final legislative step, though it adds mechanisms to ensure continued oversight.

Under the bill, the White House will be required to submit regular reports to Congress confirming that Syria’s new leadership is combating ISIS and safeguarding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. If violations occur, the president may enforce targeted sanctions without reinstating the previous blanket measures.

Reactions inside Syria and among human rights advocates

News of the vote sparked celebrations across Syrian cities, where many residents have endured years of economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread poverty. Syrian officials described the repeal as an “economic victory day,” emphasizing that lifting sanctions could revive critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. Economists predict a gradual return of foreign investment and the potential for growth rates between 5% and 7% by 2027 if stability continues. Human rights advocates, meanwhile, have broadly welcomed the easing of restrictions, arguing that sanctions had unintentionally deepened civilian suffering even as they targeted the regime.

However, some US lawmakers, primarily Democrats, warned that an unconditional repeal could open the door to corruption or empower actors who have not yet been fully vetted in the post-Assad transition.

In conclusion, the House vote to repeal the Caesar Act marks a decisive and bipartisan turning point in US policy toward Syria at a moment of profound political transition in the country. As the bill moves to the Senate, the coming weeks will determine whether Washington formally shifts from a sanctions-driven approach to one centred on reconstruction and monitored engagement. For many Syrians, the potential end of the Caesar Act represents not only economic relief but also an opportunity to rebuild after more than a decade of devastation.