,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #acbg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #ba1 #bjac ,mr4 ,engel 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,rogers of ,michigan1 and ,mr4 ,sherman7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services and the ,judiciary1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to improve ,united ,states humanitarian and other assistance to the ,syrian people1 facilitate the transition of ,syria to a democratic government1 provide for ,united ,states support to the post-,assad government1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,free ,syria ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,for decades the ,syrian people have suffered under the oppressive regime of ,bashar al-,assad and his father1 ,hafiz al-,assad4 ,in ,march #bjaa1 ,syrians began peaceful protests against the regime4 ,the regime responded brutally1 with murders and mass arrests4 ,during the civil war that ensued1 the ,assad regime has specifically targeted civilian populations and committed mass atrocities and other war crimes4 7#b7 ,over #a1jjj1jjj ,syrians have become refugees over the last two years1 tens of thousands of others have fled ,syria1 and more than #b1ejj1jjj are estimated to be displaced within ,syria4 ,more than #gj1jjj ,syrians have been killed in the conflict4 7#c7 ,the replacement of the ,assad regime by a democratic government that repudiates terrorism would advance the security of the ,syrian people and their neighbors1 as well as that of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,the prolongation of fighting in ,syria is likely to enhance the strength of religious extremist forces1 as well as the prospect that such forces will exert significant influence following ,assad's fall4 7#e7 ,the ,governments of ,iran and ,russia continue to provide the ,assad regime with the advanced weapons and support necessary to continue its campaign of slaughter against its own people4 7#f7 ,syria is one of the most hazardous environments in the world for humanitarian aid providers4 ,the ,syrian regime has established a pattern of targeting aid distribution points1 including bakeries1 bread lines1 medical facilities1 and even employees of the ,syrian ,arab ,red ,crescent4 7#g7 ,the course of the ,syrian transition and its future leadership may depend on what the ,united ,states does now to save ,syrian lives1 alleviate suffering1 and help ,syrians determine their own future4 7#h7 ,syria has been on the ,united ,states list of state sponsors of terrorism since the inception of that list in #aigi4 ,under the ,syria ,accountability and ,lebanese ,sovereignty ,restoration ,act of #bjjc1 ,syria's continuing provision of material support and safe haven for terrorist organizations make it subject to broad legislatively mandated penalties1 including export sanctions and ineligibility to receive most forms of ,united ,states aid or to purchase ,united ,states military equipment4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of the ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states should increase its humanitarian support for individuals affected by the brutal conflict in ,syria--refugees1 internally displaced persons 7,i,d,ps71 and others--and should urge its friends and allies to do likewise2 7#b7 ,jordan1 ,turkey1 and ,lebanon should be commended for keeping their borders open and providing other support to individuals fleeing the violence and upheaval in ,syria and for allowing them to seek international protection2 7#c7 the ,president should urge countries in the region to keep their borders open to refugees and to comply with international humanitarian and refugee law2 7#d7 the ,president should urge the ,united ,nations ,high ,commissioner for ,refugees to expedite protection and resettlement of the most vulnerable ,syrian refugees2 7#e7 in view of the violence and bloodshed in ,syria1 the ,president should provide temporary immigration relief measures1 including renewal of ,temporary ,protected ,status1 expedited requests for change or extension of nonimmigrant status1 expedited processing of immigrant petitions for ,syrians in the ,united ,states1 and granting humanitarian parole to ,syrian nationals with approved immigrant petitions waiting abroad2 7#f7 to the extent feasible1 the ,united ,states should coordinate its assistance to ,syrian refugees and to individuals inside ,syria with the ,syrian ,opposition ,coalition's ,assistance ,coordination ,unit2 7#g7 the ,assad regime has committed manifold war crimes and crimes against humanity1 and the individuals responsible must be brought to justice2 7#h7 the ,united ,states should pursue appropriate mechanisms to hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in ,syria2 7#i7 ,united ,states military assistance should be provided only to groups that demonstrate a commitment to-- 7,a7 securing and safeguarding1 and ultimately eliminating1 ,syrian chemical1 biological1 radiological1 and nuclear weapons-related materials that come under their control2 7,b7 full cooperation with the ,united ,states and the international community in accomplishing that goal2 and 7,c7 respecting all previous international agreements that have been signed by ,syria1 including agreements reached under the auspices of the ,united ,nations2 7#aj7 the ,united ,states should work in cooperation with its friends and allies to provide non-lethal military equipment1 such as helmets and body armor1 to friendly ,syrian opposition military forces2 7#aa7 all countries1 and especially ,iraq1 should deny use of their airspace to ,syrian-bound ,iranian aircraft1 unless those aircraft have first been forced to land1 are thoroughly inspected1 and found to be weapons-free2 and 7#ab7 the ,united ,states and its international partners should take concrete steps to ensure that women are full and equal participants in all negotiations regarding the future of ,syria and in all transitional and future government institutions4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act-- 7#a7 the term appropriate congressional committees means the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7#b7 the term economic assistance means foreign assistance other than assistance provided to or for the benefit of foreign security forces2 7#c7 the term entity means any association1 partnership1 body1 organization1 unit1 or group2 7#d7 the term foreign terrorist organization means an organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the ,secretary of ,state in accordance with section #bai7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi7;a772 7#e7 the terms humanitarian assistance and humanitarian accounts include-- 7,a7 assistance under chapter #i of ,part ,i of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa2 7,b7 emergency food assistance under title ,,ii of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7,public ,law #hc-dhj72 7,c7 refugee and migration assistance under the ,migration and ,refugee ,act of #aifb2 and 7,d7 any other economic assistance provided to address basic human needs2 7#f7 the term post-,assad ,government of ,syria means a government of ,syria that meets the requirements specified in section #cja7;a72 7#g7 the terms defense article1 defense information1 defense service1 military education and training1 and value have the meanings given such terms in section #fdd of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdjc72 7#h7 the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development2 and 7#i7 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,state4 ,i ,humanitarian and ,economic ,assistance #aja4 ,humanitarian principles ,united ,states humanitarian assistance to address the ,syrian conflict shall be conducted in accordance with the following principles3 7#a7 ,the central purpose of humanitarian assistance is to save lives1 alleviate human suffering1 and protect vulnerable populations wherever possible4 7#b7 ,humanitarian assistance should be impartial1 based solely on and in proportion to need1 without discrimination between or within affected populations1 and without regard to the political views1 national origin1 or religious affiliation of the beneficiaries4 7#c7 ,humanitarian assistance should be neutral1 without furthering a political or religious agenda or favoring any side in an armed conflict or other dispute where such humanitarian assistance is carried out4 7#d7 ,humanitarian assistance should be independent1 without regard to the political1 economic1 military1 or other objectives that any actor may hold in relation to the affected areas and populations4 7#e7 ,humanitarian assistance should be undertaken in accordance with international human rights law1 international humanitarian law1 refugee law1 and the ,united ,nations ,guiding ,principles on ,internal ,displacement4 7#f7 ,humanitarian assistance includes protection of affected populations from physical harm1 persecution1 exploitation1 abuse1 family separation1 sexual and gender-based violence1 forcible recruitment1 and other threats to human rights4 7#g7 ,to best ensure impartiality1 neutrality1 independence1 and the appearance thereof1 humanitarian assistance should be carried out by intergovernmental and nongovernmental international humanitarian organizations1 in partnership with local communities and indigenous organizations4 7#h7 ,to promote learning1 accountability1 transparency1 and the efficient use of resources1 the ,united ,states should support independent monitoring and evaluation of all humanitarian assistance4 #ajb4 ,protecting women1 children1 and other vulnerable populations ,of the amounts made available for any fiscal year to carry out this ,act1 the ,president is authorized1 notwithstanding any other provision of law1 to provide such assistance as may be necessary for protection of populations affected by the conflict in ,syria1 especially including-- 7#a7 clinical care and psychosocial support for sexual violence survivors2 7#b7 improving safety for women1 children1 and other vulnerable populations1 in camps and settlements for refugees and internally displaced persons2 7#c7 working to minimize forced marriage1 domestic violence1 and sexual exploitation2 and 7#d7 case management for separated and other vulnerable children4 #ajc4 ,medical neutrality 7a7 ,prohibition ,no assistance may be provided under this ,act to any entity if the ,secretary of ,state has credible evidence that such entity knowingly has been involved in-- 7#a7 organized attacks on health care facilities1 health care providers1 patients1 medical transport1 medical supplies1 or medical records2 7#b7 preventing medical professionals from administering ethical medical care to individuals in need2 or 7#c7 the arbitrary arrest or detention of health care service providers or individuals seeking medical care4 7b7 ,requirement ,any agreement for the provision of medical or health-related assistance under this ,act shall expressly require that such assistance shall be used in accordance with the principles established in the ,geneva ,conventions and the ,world ,medical ,association's ,international ,code of ,medical ,ethics for health care providers4 #ajd4 ,transfer authority ,in addition to other authorities available to transfer funds1 the ,secretary of ,state may exercise the authority under this section to transfer to1 and merge with1 any humanitarian account such sums as may be necessary from amounts which have been made available to carry out any provision of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa1 and which have not been specifically designated by law for any particular program or activity1 to address humanitarian needs arising as a result of the conflict in ,syria4 #aje4 ,emergency refugee and migration assistance ,section #b7;c7 of the ,migration and ,refugee ,assistance ,act of #aifb 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfja7;c77 is amended in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,president and inserting ,secretary of ,state4 #ajf4 ,economic assistance to opposition-allied local coordination committees ,of the amounts made available for any fiscal year to carry out this ,act1 the ,president is authorized to make available such assistance as may be necessary to enhance the capacity1 performance1 and accountability of ,syrian opposition-allied local coordination committees1 including support for-- 7#a7 providing basic services to civilian populations2 7#b7 carrying out administrative and management functions2 7#c7 improving communications1 transparency1 and public outreach2 7#d7 prevention1 research1 and documentation of mass atrocities2 7#e7 increasing understanding of and respect for internationally recognized human rights and democratic principles2 and 7#f7 preparing for a peaceful1 democratic transition4 #ajg4 ,civilian broadcasting to ,syria 7a7 ,authorization of ,united ,states civilian broadcasting to ,syria ,in addition to amounts made available for grants for broadcasting in the ,middle ,east and the ,international ,broadcasting ,operations of the ,broadcasting ,board of ,governors1 such sums as may be necessary are authorized to be appropriated for a grant to the ,middle ,east ,broadcasting ,networks1 ,inc41 for the purpose of providing ,united ,states civilian broadcasting to the people of ,syria4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,broadcasting ,board of ,governors shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report on plans to establish the service described in subsection 7a74 #ajh4 ,marking and branding of assistance 7a7 ,requirement ,economic assistance made available under this ,act shall be marked as being ,from the ,american ,people and shall include a representation of the ,united ,states flag4 7b7 ,applicability ,the requirement of subsection 7a7 shall be applicable to all-- 7#a7 articles2 and 7#b7 program1 project1 and activity sites4 7c7 ,unified brand ,the marking of assistance made available under this ,act shall not include any logo of a particular ,federal department or agency or division thereof4 7d7 ,relationship to other provisions of law and regulations ,the provisions of this section shall be applicable notwithstanding any other provision of law1 and notwithstanding any ,federal regulation1 agency guidance1 or procedure to the contrary4 7e7 ,ongoing programs ,to the extent it is feasible and cost effective to do so1 the marking or branding of articles and program1 project1 and activity sites financed pursuant to ongoing agreements1 including grants1 contracts1 and cooperative agreements1 to address the conflict in ,syria shall be conformed to meet the requirements of this section4 7f7 ,exceptions ,the requirements of subsection 7a7 shall not apply-- 7#a7 to a project or activity if the relevant ,assistant ,secretary of ,state or ,assistant ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development determines that the marking of such project or activity would-- 7,a7 jeopardize the health1 safety1 or human rights of a partner or intended beneficiary2 or 7,b7 be detrimental to the achievement of project or activity objectives2 7#b7 to assistance provided inside ,syria if the ,secretary of ,state determines that the marking of such assistance would be detrimental to the achievement of overall ,united ,states foreign policy objectives in ,syria2 7#c7 to office space occupied by a contractor or grantee1 or to housing1 personal vehicles1 or other personal property of employees thereof2 or 7#d7 to a project or activity for which the ,united ,states is one among many donors or has contributed a small proportion of the total costs4 7g7 ,exemption from determination ,a determination under subsection 7f77#b7 shall not preclude the ,secretary of ,state from requiring that specific projects or activities financed by the ,united ,states be subject to the requirements of subsection 7a74 7h7 ,co-,branding ,the requirements of subsection 7c7 shall not prohibit the identification of assistance with a contractor or grantee's own organizational brand or logo1 subject to any standards or regulations that the ,president may establish4 ,,ii ,security ,assistance #bja4 ,sense of ,congress regarding military assistance ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,president should provide appropriate military assistance1 including arms1 training1 and intelligence support1 for ,syrian opposition forces that meet the requirements of section #bjc2 7#b7 a primary goal of military assistance should be to integrate the disparate units of the ,free ,syria ,army into a coherent1 effective fighting force under a unified command2 and 7#c7 the ,united ,states should take the initiative to ensure1 insofar as possible1 that arms supplied to the ,syrian opposition1 from whatever source1 are appropriately vetted and are directed only to forces that support the establishment of a democratic and peaceful ,syria4 #bjb4 ,military assistance 7a7 ,drawdown authority ,the ,president is authorized1 notwithstanding any other provision of law1 to direct the drawdown of defense articles from the stocks of the ,department of ,defense1 defense services from the ,department of ,defense1 and military education and training for an entity operating inside ,syria that is not ineligible under section #bjc4 ,such assistance may include the following3 7#a7 ,non-lethal military equipment and defense information1 including-- 7,a7 protective gear1 including flak jackets and other forms of body armor2 7,b7 individual equipment1 tents1 and organizational tool sets2 and 7,c7 communications equipment4 7#b7 ,subject to the ,president making the certification required under subsection 7g71 lethal military equipment1 including-- 7,a7 defense articles2 and 7,b7 defense services4 7b7 ,restriction ,defense articles provided pursuant to this section may not include anti-aircraft defensive systems4 7c7 ,waiver ,the ,president may waive the restriction under subsection 7b7 if-- 7#a7 it is in the vital national security interest to do so2 7#b7 the ,president notifies ,congress not later than #ae days before such waiver shall be issued2 7#c7 the ,president transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a report described in subsection 7h7 with the certification required under subsection 7g7 specifically with respect to anti-aircraft systems not later than #ae days before the issuance of such a waiver2 and 7#d7 the ,president certifies that the ,united ,states has consulted with regional allies regarding the systems provided4 7d7 ,notification requirement ,the ,president shall notify the appropriate congressional committees at least #ae days in advance of each obligation of assistance under this section1 including a detailed description of the assistance to be provided1 in accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section #fcd;,a of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bcid-a74 7e7 ,reimbursement relating to military assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,defense articles1 defense services1 and military education and training provided under subsection 7a7 shall be made available without reimbursement to the ,department of ,defense except to the extent that funds are appropriated pursuant to paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,president for fiscal year #bjac such sums as may be necessary to reimburse the applicable appropriation1 fund1 or account for the value of the defense articles1 defense services1 or military education and training provided under subsection 7a7 of this section4 7f7 ,availability of funds ,amounts authorized to be appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available until expended1 and are in addition to amounts otherwise available for the purposes described in this section4 7g7 ,certification ,the ,president shall certify1 and include in each notification submitted pursuant to subsection 7a77#b7 and 7c77#c71 that the defense articles1 defense services1 and military education and training to be provided under this section to an entity operating inside ,syria are consistent with the maintenance of regional stability and with the overall security and stability of neighboring friends and allies4 7h7 ,report ,the report referred to in subsection 7c77#c7 is a report that contains a detailed description of the following3 7#a7 ,the intended recipients of the anti-aircraft defense systems that are at issue4 7#b7 ,the areas where such systems would be deployed4 7#c7 ,the targets against which such systems would be deployed4 7#d7 ,an assessment of how such systems would affect the military and humanitarian situation in ,syria4 7#e7 ,an assessment of the risks and benefits of the intended transfer of such systems4 #bjc4 ,vetting of assistance 7a7 ,ineligible entities ,assistance under this title may not be provided to an entity that fails to demonstrate a commitment to-- 7#a7 opposing and defeating the ,assad regime2 7#b7 establishing a democratic1 pluralistic1 and peaceful ,syria2 and 7#c7 securing and safeguarding chemical and biological weapons1 their precursor and constituent parts1 and associated equipment4 7b7 ,prohibition ,no assistance may be provided under this title to an entity that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization in accordance with section #bai of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi71 or as a ,specially ,designated ,terrorist ,organization under the terms and authorities of the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq47 7c7 ,requirement ,to the maximum extent practicable1 assistance under this ,act shall be provided in accordance with section #fbj,m of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bcgh;d74 #bjd4 ,authority for program to facilitate ,syrian chemical and biological weapons destruction 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,president may establish a program described in subsection 7b7 to assist the securing1 disabling1 dismantling1 removal1 and destruction of ,syrian chemical and biological weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction1 their precursor and constituent parts1 and associated equipment4 7b7 ,type of program ,a program established under this section shall be limited to cooperation between the ,united ,states and a ,syrian entity to-- 7#a7 secure1 safeguard1 disable1 dismantle1 transport out of ,syria1 or destroy chemical and biological weapons1 their precursor and constituent parts and associated equipment1 and 7#b7 establish verifiable safeguards against the proliferation of such weapons4 ,any such program may involve assistance in planning and resolving technical problems associated with the purposes of the program4 ,any such program may also involve the funding of critical short-term requirements related to weapons destruction and should1 to the extent feasible1 draw upon ,united ,states technology and ,united ,states technicians4 7c7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjac1 to be available until expended1 for the activities of the program described in this section4 7#b7 ,drawdown authority ,the ,president may direct1 in order to meet the goals of the program described in this section1 the drawdown of articles and services from any ,federal department or agency in any fiscal year1 in addition to any other drawdown authority available to the ,president4 7#c7 ,transfer authority ,in addition to any other transfer authority available to the ,president1 the ,president may exercise the authority of this paragraph to transfer to1 and merge with1 funds made available to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary which have been made available to carry out any other provision of law4 7#d7 ,report on proposed obligations ,not less than #ae days before obligating any funds1 drawing down any articles or services from a ,federal department or agency1 or transferring any appropriated funds from another account1 for the program described in this section1 the ,president shall transmit to ,congress a report on such proposed obligation1 drawdown1 or transfer4 ,each such report shall specify-- 7,a7 the account1 budget activity1 and particular program or programs from which the funds proposed to be obligated1 drawndown1 or transferred are to be derived1 and the amount of such proposed obligation1 drawdown1 or transfer2 and 7,b7 the activities and forms of assistance for which the ,president plans to obligate such funds4 7d7 ,quarterly reports on program ,not later than #cj days after the end of each quarter during which the ,united ,states has been engaged in activities pursuant to a program established under this section1 the ,president shall transmit to ,congress a report on such activities4 ,each such report shall specify1 for the preceding quarter and cumulatively1 at a minimum a description of the following3 7#a7 ,the activities carried out4 7#b7 ,the types and amounts of assistance provided for such activities4 7#c7 ,the entities receiving such assistance4 7#d7 ,the sources of funds and authorities under which they were provided4 7#e7 ,the ,united ,states departments or agencies providing such assistance4 #bje4 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act may be construed to authorize the use of military force in ,syria by the ,united ,states ,armed ,forces4 ,,iii ,transition ,assistance #cja4 ,post-,assad transition assistance 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president is authorized1 after making a determination described in subsection 7b7 and notwithstanding any other provision of law1 to-- 7#a7 provide assistance2 7#b7 make contributions2 and 7#c7 use the voice1 vote1 and influence of the ,united ,states in international financial institutions for the purposes described in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,determination ,the determination referred to in subsection 7a7 is a determination by the ,president1 which shall be transmitted in writing to the appropriate congressional committees1 that-- 7#a7 the regime of ,bashar al-,assad is no longer in power2 7#b7 the ,united ,states has recognized a transitional government2 and 7#c7 such transitional government is not controlled by an organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization in accordance with section #bai of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi74 7c7 ,purposes ,assistance under this section may be made available for the following purposes3 7#a7 ,developing or strengthening democratic institutions and processes4 7#b7 ,short-term economic and political stabilization4 7#c7 ,reconstructing or revitalizing basic infrastructure4 7#d7 ,fostering reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of conflict4 #cjb4 ,temporary suspension of sanctions 7a7 ,suspension of sanctions ,the ,president may suspend in furtherance of this ,act the requirements of the ,syria ,accountability and ,lebanese ,sovereignty ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7,public ,law #ajh-age71 section #gjjg of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-gd71 and any other provision of law relating to assistance1 trade1 finance1 the provision of defense articles and defense services1 and the issuance of visas to nationals of ,syria for a period not to exceed three months if the ,president transmits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination that the post-,assad government of ,syria is demonstrating a verifiable commitment to-- 7#a7 ceasing support for terrorists1 including ,hizballah2 7#b7 preventing the illegal transfer of missile or nuclear technology to any other country or entity2 7#c7 halting all support1 including training1 safe haven1 supplies1 and financing1 for-- 7,a7 ,hamas1 ,hizballah1 ,palestinian ,islamic ,jihad1 the ,popular ,front for the ,liberation of ,palestine1 the ,popular ,front for the ,liberation of ,palestine-,general ,command1 the ,democratic ,front for the ,liberation of ,palestine1 ,fatah al-,intifada1 ,fatah al-,islam1 or the ,jabhat al-,nusra2 7,b7 any other organization designated by the ,secretary of ,state as a foreign terrorist organization in accordance with section #bai7;a7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi7;a772 7,c7 any person included on the ,annex to ,executive ,order #acbbd 7,september #bc1 #bjja7 and any other person identified under section #a of such ,executive ,order whose property and interests in property are blocked by such section 7commonly known as a specially designated global terrorist72 7,d7 any person designated under section #c of ,executive ,order #accch 7,may #ac1 #bjjd7 or under section #a of ,executive ,order #acdch 7,july #ag1 #bjjg72 7,e7 the ,syrian ,social ,nationalist ,party2 or 7,f7 any agency1 instrumentality1 affiliate1 or successor organization of the organizations specified in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e72 7#d7 dismantling ,syria's chemical1 biological1 radiological1 and nuclear weapons programs and fully cooperating with the ,united ,states and other relevant parties to achieve such result2 7#e7 ceasing all efforts to design1 develop1 manufacture1 or acquire-- 7,a7 a nuclear explosive device or related materials and technology2 7,b7 chemical1 biological1 and radiological weapons2 and 7,c7 ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology2 and 7#f7 taking demonstrable steps to combat the proliferation of the weapons described in paragraph 7#e72 7#g7 refraining from presenting a threat to ,united ,states national security1 ,united ,states interests1 or ,united ,states allies in the region2 7#h7 respecting the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries and rejecting interference in their internal affairs2 and 7#i7 upholding and defending the human rights1 civil liberties1 and political freedoms of all its people1 including minorities4 7b7 ,renewal ,the ,president may renew the suspension of sanctions under this section for up to two consecutive six-month periods if the ,president transmits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination that the post-,assad government of ,syria is making substantial progress toward satisfying the conditions in specified in subsection 7a74 7c7 ,further renewal ,if the maximum number of suspension renewals specified in subsection 7b7 has been reached1 the ,president may further renew the suspension of sanctions under this section for additional six-month periods if the ,president transmits to the appropriate congressional committees in writing a determination that the post-,assad government has substantially satisfied the conditions specified in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h7 of subsection 7a7 and is continuing to make substantial progress toward satisfying the conditions specified in paragraph 7#i7 of such subsection4 #cjc4 ,temporary personnel authorities 7a7 ,conditional authority ,if the ,president makes the determination described in section #cja7;b71 the following authorities shall apply3 7#a7 ,limited career appointments ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator may extend for a period of time not to exceed #ab months a limited appointment under section #cji7;a7 of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cidi7;a771 and may reappoint a non-career ,foreign ,service employee who has served five consecutive years under a limited appointment1 to a subsequent limited appointment in order to facilitate the assignment of qualified employees to ,syria or to posts vacated by employees assigned to ,syria4 7#b7 ,reemployment of annuitants ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator may waive the application of subsections 7a7 through 7d7 of section #hbd of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #djfd71 and may grant authority to the head of an executive agency to waive the application of such subsections1 on a case-by-case basis for an annuitant reemployed on a temporary basis1 if and for so long as such waiver is necessary to facilitate the assignment of qualified employees to ,syria or to posts vacated by employees assigned to ,syria4 7#c7 ,personal services contractors 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development may each hire a total of up to #ej ,united ,states citizens or aliens as personal services contractors1 for service in the ,united ,states1 or for service both in the ,united ,states and abroad1 subject to the following conditions3 7i7 ,the ,secretary or the ,administrator1 as the case may be1 determines that existing personnel resources are insufficient4 7ii7 ,the contract length1 including options1 may not exceed two years1 unless the ,secretary or the ,administrator1 as the case may be1 makes a finding that exceptional circumstances justify an extension of up to one additional year4 7iii7 ,the authority provided in this paragraph may only be used to obtain specialized skills or experience relevant to1 or to respond to urgent needs resulting from1 the transition in ,syria4 7,b7 ,authority ,the authority provided in this paragraph shall be in addition to any other authorities available to the ,secretary or the ,administrator to hire personal service contractors4 7b7 ,status of personal services contractors 7#a7 ,in general ,an individual hired as a personal services contractor pursuant to subsection 7a77#c7 shall not1 by virtue of such hiring1 be considered to be an employee of the ,united ,states ,government for purposes of any law administered by the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 7#b7 ,applicable laws ,an individual hired as a personal services contractor pursuant to subsection 7a77#c7 shall be covered1 in the same manner as a similarly situated employee1 by-- 7,a7 the ,ethics in ,government ,act of #aigh2 7,b7 chapter #gc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,c7 sections #bja1 #bjc1 #bje1 #bjg1 #bjh1 and #bji of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,d7 section #acdf and chapter #aga of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,e7 chapter #ba of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,exception ,this subsection shall not affect the determination as to whether an individual hired as a personal services contractor pursuant to this section is an employee of the ,united ,states ,government for purposes of any ,federal law not specified in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b74 7c7 ,general authority ,the administrative authorities provided in the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa shall apply to assistance made available under this ,act4 7d7 ,termination of authority ,the authorities provided under subsection 7a7 shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date on which a determination is made under section #cja7;a71 except that a contract entered into under such subsection 7a7 may remain in effect until expiration4