,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hica ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,december #aj1 #bjbj,mr4 ,wilson of ,south ,carolina introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services1 and ,ways and ,means1 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 impose additional sanctions with respect to ,syria1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,stop the ,killing in ,syria ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title and table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,title ,i--,additional ,sanctions ,with ,respect to ,syria,sec4 #aja4 ,sanctions with respect to certain government officials of countries assisting or normalizing relations with ,syria4,sec4 #ajb4 ,sanctions with respect to financial institutions operating in ,syria and certain foreign persons supporting the ,government of ,syria4,sec4 #ajc4 ,sanctions with respect to certain individuals serving in the ,lebanese ,internal ,security ,forces and the ,lebanese ,armed ,forces4,sec4 #ajd4 ,sanctions with respect to directors1 officers1 and other officials employed in ,syrian prisons and detention facilities determined to be engaged in the use of torture4,sec4 #aje4 ,mandatory application of sanctions under the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai4,sec4 #ajf4 ,limitation on waiver authorities under the ,caesar ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai4,sec4 #ajg4 ,measures with respect to areas of ,syria controlled by the ,government of ,syria4,title ,,ii--,other ,provisions,sec4 #bja4 ,determination and report relating to crimes against humanity1 genocide1 and war crimes in ,syria4,sec4 #bjb4 ,assessment of potential effectiveness of and requirements for the establishment of a no-fly zone1 safe zones1 or a no-bombing zone in ,syria4,sec4 #bjc4 ,report on net worth of ,syrian ,president ,bashar al-,assad4,sec4 #bjd4 ,strategy and report for removing the al-,assad regime from power and achieving a transition to a free and democratic ,syria4,sec4 #bje4 ,statement of policy4,sec4 #bjf4 ,prohibition against ,united ,states recognition of the al-,assad regime in ,syria4,sec4 #bjg4 ,report on effect of lifting ,iran sanctions on war crimes in ,syria4,sec4 #bjh4 ,certification regarding humanitarian aid provided to areas in ,syria held by the al-,assad regime4,sec4 #bji4 ,proclamation authority regarding free ,syria economic zones4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,foreign person ,the term foreign person has the meaning given that term in section #abfb of the ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights ,accountability ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfef note74 ,i ,additional sanctions with respect to ,syria #aja4 ,sanctions with respect to certain government officials of countries assisting or normalizing relations with ,syria 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7c7 with respect to senior foreign political figures and other senior government officials of countries on the lists required by subsection 7b77#a74 7b7 ,lists 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees-- 7,a7 a list of countries that-- 7i7 expressly consent to1 or with knowledge allow1 the use of their territory or financial institutions by the ,government of ,syria to assist such government's war crimes1 including through financing2 or 7ii7 have a history of facilitating sanctions evasion by the ,government of ,syria2 7,b7 a list of countries1 including countries that are members of the ,league of ,arab ,states1 that have diplomatic relations with ,syria1 or that continue to have extensive economic relations with ,syria2 and 7,c7 a list of countries that are considering and taking steps towards establishing diplomatic relations with ,syria4 7#b7 ,additional requirement ,the ,president shall include the following countries that have established diplomatic relations with ,syria as part of the lists required by paragraph 7#a7 until such time as those countries have ceased having diplomatic relations with the ,government of ,syria3 ,egypt1 ,jordan1 ,lebanon1 ,iraq1 ,oman1 and the ,united ,arab ,emirates4 7#c7 ,form ,the lists required by paragraph 7#a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7c7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are-- 7#a7 sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to section #gdab7;b7 of the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hgia note72 and 7#b7 sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to the ,hezbollah ,international ,financing ,prevention ,act of #bjae 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja note74 7d7 ,senior foreign political figure defined ,in this section1 the term senior foreign political figure has the meaning given that term in section #ajaj4fje of title #ca1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 #ajb4 ,sanctions with respect to financial institutions operating in ,syria and certain foreign persons supporting the ,government of ,syria 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7c7 with respect to each financial institution on the list required by subsection 7b77#a77;,a7 and each person on the list required by subsection 7b77#a77;,b74 7b7 ,lists 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and biannually thereafter1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees-- 7,a7 a list of financial institutions operating in ,syria2 and 7,b7 a list of foreign persons of ,china1 ,lebanon1 ,jordan1 ,egypt1 ,iraq1 ,oman1 ,turkey1 ,qatar1 ,kuwait1 and the ,united ,arab ,emirates that are involved in business activities with regard to the infrastructure1 construction1 financial services1 telecommunications1 or petroleum sectors of the ,syrian economy4 7#b7 ,form ,the list required by this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7c7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to section #gdab7;b7 of the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hgia note74 #ajc4 ,sanctions with respect to certain individuals serving in the ,lebanese ,internal ,security ,forces and the ,lebanese ,armed ,forces 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7c7 with respect to each individual on the list required by subsection 7b77#c74 7b7 ,report ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that-- 7#a7 describes efforts by the ,government of ,lebanon to prevent sanctions evasion activities1 including smuggling efforts to support the ,government of ,syria1 including an identification of the extent to which the ,government of ,lebanon1 the ,lebanese ,internal ,security ,forces 7,,isf71 and the ,lebanese ,armed ,forces 7,,laf7 have knowingly permitted1 facilitated1 or assisted such efforts2 7#b7 describes efforts by the ,government of ,lebanon1 the ,,isf1 and the ,,laf have taken to prevent the forced repatriation of ,syrian refugees back to ,syria2 and 7#c7 contains a list of those individuals serving in the ,,isf and the ,,laf that have participated in1 knowingly permitted1 facilitated1 or assisted the ,government of ,syria in sanctions evasion activities or smuggling efforts to support the ,government of ,syria4 7c7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to section #abfc7;b7 of the ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights ,accountability ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfef note74 #ajd4 ,sanctions with respect to directors1 officers1 and other officials employed in ,syrian prisons and detention facilities determined to be engaged in the use of torture 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7c7 with respect to each individual on the list required by subsection 7b77#b74 7b7 ,report ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that-- 7#a7 describes the extent to which torture is used against detainees in ,syrian prisons and detention facilities2 and 7#b7 contains a list of directors1 officers1 and other officials employed in such prisons and detention facilities and who have been determined to be engaged in the use of torture4 7c7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to section #abfc7;b7 of the ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights ,accountability ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfef note74 #aje4 ,mandatory application of sanctions under the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of the ,congress that-- 7#a7 the ,syrian financial and construction sectors are sectors of ,syria's economy which provide financial support to the ,syrian regime's malign activities and crimes against its own people2 and 7#b7 the ,president should continue to vigorously enforce the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai to deny the al-,assad regime avenues to fund its malign activities4 7b7 ,in general ,the ,president shall impose the sanctions described in subsection 7d7 with respect to each individual and organization described in subsection 7c74 7c7 ,individuals and organizations described ,the individuals and organizations described in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,the ,badr ,organization4 7#b7 ,hadi ,al-,ameri1 leader of the ,badr ,organization4 7#c7 ,the ,wagner ,group4 7#d7 ,major ,general ,abbas ,ibrahim of the ,lebanese ,general ,security ,directorate4 7#e7 ,the ,damascus ,securities ,exchange4 7#f7 ,the ,imam ,ali ,brigades4 7#g7 ,the al-,baraka ,bank ,syria4 7#h7 ,the al-,badia ,cement ,plant4 7#i7 ,the ,bank ,audi ,syria4 7#aj7 ,the ,international ,bank for ,trade and ,finance ,syria4 7#aa7 ,the ,bank of ,syria and ,overseas4 7#ab7 ,the ,byblos ,bank ,syria4 7#ac7 ,the ,real ,estate ,bank ,syria4 7#ad7 ,the ,banque ,bemo ,saudi ,fransi4 7#ae7 ,the ,basy ,bank ,syria4 7#af7 ,the ,arab ,bank ,syria4 7#ag7 ,the ,qatar ,national ,bank-,syria4 7#ah7 ,the ,syria ,gulf ,bank4 7#ai7 ,the ,fransabank ,syria4 7#bj7 ,the ,parliament of ,syria and every member of the ,parliament of ,syria4 7#ba7 ,emma,tel ,syria4 7#bb7 ,daman ,sham4 7#bc7 ,the ,central ,financial ,company for ,financial ,services and ,brokerage ,syria 7,,ifc74 7#bd7 ,cham ,capital4 7#be7 ,first ,global ,investments ,financial ,company ,syria 7,g#a-,,sy74 7#bf7 ,al ,aula ,company for ,financial ,investment ,syria4 7#bg7 ,alpha ,capital for ,financial ,services4 7#bh7 ,asiria ,finance4 7d7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions described in this subsection are sanctions applicable with respect to a foreign person pursuant to section #gdab7;b7 of the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hgia note74 #ajf4 ,limitation on waiver authorities under the ,caesar ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that sanctions relief for the ,government of ,syria or a withdrawal of ,united ,states military forces in ,syria should not be exchanged as ransom for the release of ,american hostages in ,syria because such ransom would only incentivize hostile regimes around the world to take ,american hostages4 7b7 ,in general ,section #gdcb of the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hgia note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#a71 by striking 1 for renewable periods not to exceed #ahj days1 and inserting 1 once1 for a period not to exceed one year12 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#a71 by striking renewable periods and inserting a period4 #ajg4 ,measures with respect to areas of ,syria controlled by the ,government of ,syria 7a7 ,determination regarding areas of ,syria controlled by the ,government of ,syria 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall determine1 under section #ecah;,a of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that any of the jurisdictions of ,syria described in paragraph 7#b7 are jurisdictions of primary money laundering concern4 7#b7 ,jurisdictions described ,the jurisdictions of ,syria described in this paragraph are the following3 7,a7 ,the ,damascus ,governorate4 7,b7 ,the ,homs ,governorate4 7,c7 ,the ,daraa ,governorate4 7,d7 ,the ,damascus ,countryside 7,rif ,dimeshq7 ,governorate4 7,e7 ,the ,latakia ,governorate4 7,f7 ,the ,tartous ,governorate4 7,g7 ,the ,as-,suwayda ,governorate4 7b7 ,enhanced ,due ,diligence and ,reporting ,requirements ,if the ,secretary of the ,treasury determines under subsection 7a7 that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that a jurisdiction of ,syria described paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 is a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,federal functional regulators 7as defined in section #eji of the ,gramm-,leach-,bliley ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fhji771 shall impose one or more of the special measures described in section #ecah;,a7b7 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 with respect to the jurisdiction4 7c7 ,report required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after making a determination under subsection 7a7 with respect to whether a jurisdiction of ,syria described paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 is a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the reasons for the determination4 7#b7 ,form ,a report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may include a classified annex4 ,,ii ,other provisions #bja4 ,determination and report relating to crimes against humanity1 genocide1 and war crimes in ,syria 7a7 ,determination ,the ,secretary of ,state shall make a determination with respect to each of the following3 7#a7 ,whether the al-,assad regime's intentional barrel bombs dropped on the civilian population of ,syria1 the starve or surrender campaign of sieges throughout the ,syrian conflict1 or the campaign of forced displacement and widespread torture1 particularly against the ,sunni ,muslim population of ,syria1 can be considered systematic and widespread and therefore constitutes crimes against humanity or constitutes genocide as defined in subsection 7a7 of section #ajia of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,whether ,iran1 ,hezbollah1 and ,iranian-backed militias' sectarian cleansing campaigns especially in the ,damascus suburbs1 particularly against the ,sunni ,muslim population of ,syria1 can be considered systematic and widespread and therefore constitutes crimes against humanity or constitutes genocide as defined in subsection 7a7 of section #ajia of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,whether the al-,assad regime's and the ,russian ,federation's intentional targeting of hospitals and relief workers1 constitutes a war crime as defined in section #bdda of title #ah of the ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and make available to the public a report that contains each determination made under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,form 7,a7 ,in general ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7,b7 ,public availability of information ,the unclassified portion of such report shall be made available on a publicly available internet website of the ,federal ,government4 #bjb4 ,assessment of potential effectiveness of and requirements for the establishment of a no-fly zone1 safe zones1 or a no-bombing zone in ,syria 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that-- 7#a7 assesses the potential effectiveness1 risks1 and operational requirements of the establishment and maintenance of a no-fly zone over part or all of ,syria1 especially ,idlib ,province1 to protect civilians from continuing al-,assad regime and ,russian air strikes1 including-- 7,a7 the operational and legal requirements for ,united ,states and coalition air power to establish a no-fly zone over part or all of ,syria2 7,b7 the impact a no-fly zone over part or all of ,syria would have on the protection of civilians1 the prevention of a refugee crisis1 the removal of the al-,assad regime1 and humanitarian and counterterrorism efforts in ,syria and the surrounding region2 and 7,c7 the potential for force contributions from other countries to establish a no-fly zone over part or all of ,syria2 7#b7 assesses the potential effectiveness1 risks1 and operational requirements for the establishment of one or more safe zones in ,syria for internally displaced persons or for the facilitation of humanitarian assistance1 including-- 7,a7 the operational and legal requirements for ,united ,states and coalition forces to establish one or more safe zones in ,syria2 7,b7 the impact one or more safe zones in ,syria would have on humanitarian and counterterrorism efforts in ,syria and the surrounding region2 and 7,c7 the potential for contributions from other countries and vetted non-state actor partners to establish and maintain one or more safe zones in ,syria2 and 7#c7 assesses the potential effectiveness1 risks1 and operational requirements of the establishment and maintenance of a no-bombing zone over part or all of ,syria1 including-- 7,a7 the operational and legal requirements for ,united ,states and coalition air power to establish a no-bombing zone over part or all of ,syria2 7,b7 the impact a no-bombing zone over part or all of ,syria would have on humanitarian and counterterrorism efforts in ,syria and the surrounding region2 and 7,c7 the potential for force contributions from other countries to establish a no-bombing zone over part or all of ,syria4 7b7 ,form 7#a7 ,in general ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7#b7 ,public availability of information ,the unclassified portion of such report shall be made available on a publicly available internet website of the ,federal ,government4 #bjc4 ,report on net worth of ,syrian ,president ,bashar al-,assad 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury and the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the estimated net worth and known sources of income of ,syrian ,president ,bashar al-,assad and his family members 7including spouse1 children1 siblings1 and paternal and maternal cousins71 including assets1 investments1 other business interests1 and relevant beneficial ownership information4 7b7 ,form 7#a7 ,in general ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7#b7 ,public availability of information ,the unclassified portion of such report shall be made available on a publicly available internet website of the ,federal ,government4 #bjd4 ,strategy and report for removing the al-,assad regime from power and achieving a transition to a free and democratic ,syria 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that there is no solution to the conflict in ,syria as long as the regime led by ,bashar al-,assad remains in power and that any attempts to rehabilitate the regime through so-called constitutional reform negotiations or allowing ,bashar al-,assad to run in elections are unrealistic and doomed to fail4 7b7 ,strategy ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury and the ,secretary of ,defense1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for removing the al-,assad regime from power and achieving a transition to a free and democratic ,syria4 ,the strategy shall contain the following elements3 7#a7 ,a description of how all elements of power can be utilized to achieve an irreversible political transition in ,syria which would remove the al-,assad regime from power1 and bring about a free and democratic ,syria4 7#b7 ,a description of what steps can be taken to ensure women's rights1 as well as the rights of ,christians1 ,kurds1 ,arabs1 ,assyrians1 ,turkomen1 ,alawis1 ,ismailis1 ,druze1 and other ethnic or religious minorities can be protected in ,syria4 7#c7 ,a description of how to protect ,syrian civilians from aerial bombardment by the al-,assad regime and ,russia4 7#d7 ,a description of how economic sanctions can be utilized and enhanced to prevent funding of and normalization with the al-,assad regime especially with regards to senior officials1 and business entities of ,arab countries which diplomatically recognize the al-,assad regime1 including the governments of the ,united ,arab ,emirates1 ,egypt1 ,jordan1 ,lebanon1 and ,iraq4 7#e7 ,a description regarding what steps can be taken to secure the freedom of thousands of political prisoners languishing in the prisons of the al-,assad regime as well as to free detained ,american hostages including ,austin ,tice1 ,majd ,kamalmaz1 and others1 while not trading sanctions relief or diplomatic recognition of the al-,assad regime as ransom for the release of any hostages4 7#f7 ,a description about whether ,united ,nations aid to regime held areas in ,syria is diverted from civilians and benefits the al-,assad regime1 and how such assistance can be discontinued4 7#g7 ,a description of how ,iran and its backed militias especially the ,iraqi ,badr ,corps1 ,kata'ib ,hezbollah1 ,fatemiyoun1 ,zainabiyoun1 #8,asaib,ahl al-,haq1 and others can be removed from ,syria4 7#h7 ,a description of what steps can be utilized to bring about a reduction in ,russian influence can be curbed in ,syria and a withdrawal of ,russian forces4 7#i7 ,a description of what steps can be utilized to ensure the enduring defeat of ,,isis1 al-,qaeda1 and other ,salafi-jihadi organizations in ,syria4 7#aj7 ,an assessment of ,russian and ,iranian influence and objectives in ,syria and the potential threat such influence poses to the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and make available to the public a report that contains the strategy required by subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,form 7,a7 ,in general ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall be submitted in unclassified form1 but may contain a classified annex if necessary4 7,b7 ,public availability of information ,the unclassified portion of such report shall be made available on a publicly available internet website of the ,federal ,government4 #bje4 ,statement of policy ,section #gdjb of the ,caesar ,syria ,civilian ,protection ,act of #bjai 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #hgia note7 is amended is amended to read as follows3 #gdjb4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to support the ,syrian people in their efforts to remove the regime of ,bashar al-,assad from power and bring about a transition to a free and democratic government in ,syria existing in peace and security with its neighbors2 7#b7 that all diplomatic and coercive economic means must be utilized to compel the al-,assad regime to immediately halt the wholesale slaughter of the ,syrian people2 7#c7 to support the human rights of all ,syrians1 including women and ethnic and religious minorities1 to live in peace and dignity in a free and democratic ,syria2 7#d7 that political negotiations regarding the future of ,syria or its constitution1 including the constitutional committee1 must be preceded by an enduring national ceasefire in ,syria2 7#e7 that safe zones and no-fly zones should be established to protect ,syrian civilians in ,idlib province from aerial bombardment by the al-,assad regime and the ,russian ,federation1 and to help stem the refugee crisis by allowing ,syrian civilians to stay in their homes1 and making it easier for ,syrian refugees to return home2 7#f7 to work toward the withdrawal of all foreign forces in ,syria2 7#g7 to reject working with ,russia to eject ,iranian forces in ,syria2 and 7#h7 to end any taxpayer-funded humanitarian assistance to ,syria which is diverted by the al-,assad regime to fund its war crimes4 4 #bjf4 ,prohibition against ,united ,states recognition of the al-,assad regime in ,syria 7a7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states not to recognize any ,syrian government led by ,bashar al-,assad or the legitimacy of ,bashar al-,assad to be ,president of ,syria or ever participate in any future election in ,syria or in any ,syrian government4 7b7 ,prohibition ,in accordance with subsection 7a71 no ,federal department or agency may take any action or extend any assistance that implies recognition of ,bashar al-,assad or any ,syrian government led by ,bashar al-,assad1 or which supports the participation of ,bashar al-,assad in any future election in ,syria4 #bjg4 ,report on effect of lifting ,iran sanctions on war crimes in ,syria 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the maximum pressure campaign carried out by the ,united ,states against ,iran has reduced the resources available for ,iran and the al-,assad regime to carry out war crimes in ,syria2 and 7#b7 a condition for the lifting of the sanctions that are a part of such maximum pressure campaign should continue to include the demand that ,iran ceases its destabilizing activities in ,syria and withdraws all of its forces and commanded militias from the country4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on-- 7#a7 the status of ,united ,states bilateral sanctions on ,iran2 7#b7 the reimposition and renewed enforcement of secondary sanctions on ,iran2 7#c7 the impact such sanctions have had on ,iran's support to the al-,assad regime in ,syria2 7#d7 the impact that lifting such sanctions would have on ,iran's ability to commit human rights abuses against the people of ,syria1 including through a detailed description of whether or not lifting such sanctions would increase the resources available for ,iran to support gross human rights abuses1 including torture1 extrajudicial killings1 and the killing of protesters in ,syria2 and 7#e7 the impact that lifting such sanctions would have on the funds available for the al-,assad regime to commit gross human rights abuses4 #bjh4 ,certification regarding humanitarian aid provided to areas in ,syria held by the al-,assad regime 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall certify to the appropriate congressional committees whether ,united ,nations agency programming1 including any program or project1 in ,syria funded in whole or in part by the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 is delivered impartially1 without hindrance1 to the areas of greatest need2 7#b7 does not directly materially support the ,government of ,syria or entities owned or controlled by the ,syrian government1 ,syrian government officials1 their immediate families1 or entities under their direction2 7#c7 does not directly materially support associated forces of the ,government of ,syria or entities owned or controlled by the ,syrian government2 7#d7 adheres to the ,united ,nations ,supplier ,code of ,conduct1 which states that the ,united ,nations must not support1 directly or indirectly1 other entities and individuals involved in human rights abuses1 and which requires ,united ,nations agencies to secure guarantees from suppliers that they are not complicit in human rights abuses2 and 7#e7 is vetted by an independent mechanism that reviews contract procurement in ,syrian government-held areas4 7b7 ,funding limitation and redirection ,if the ,secretary of ,state makes a certification described in subsection 7a7 in the negative-- 7#a7 no ,federal department or agency may provide any funding1 directly or indirectly1 to any ,united ,nations agency programming1 including any program or project1 in ,syria that fails to meet the criteria of the certification specified in subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 amounts made available to the ,secretary of ,state that are withheld from ,united ,nations agency programming1 including any program or project1 in ,syria in accordance with paragraph 7#a7 shall be made available to the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development's ,office of ,foreign ,disaster ,assistance for providing assistance to populations in ,syria in need4 7c7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,associated forces ,the term associated forces includes forces of the ,government of ,russia1 forces of the ,government of ,iran1 ,iranian-backed proxy militias1 and ,hezbollah4 #bji4 ,proclamation authority regarding free ,syria economic zones 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of the ,congress that-- 7#a7 enhanced trade with areas of ,syria that are not under the al-,assad regime's control could help economically develop such areas1 strengthen civil society1 and ultimately help achieve a transition to a free and democratic ,syria2 7#b7 the ,president should work to-- 7,a7 economically integrate areas of ,syria that are not under the al-,assad regime's control1 including in both northeast and northwest ,syria1 in order to promote trade among such areas and with ,united ,states allies in the region2 and 7,b7 economically reduce the dependence of such areas on the al-,assad regime4 7b7 ,elimination or modifications of duties ,the ,president is authorized to proclaim elimination or modification of any existing duty as the ,president determines is necessary to exempt any article from duty if that article is wholly the growth1 product1 or manufacture of a free ,syria economic zone or is a new or different article of commerce that has been grown1 produced1 or manufactured in a free ,syria economic zone4 7c7 ,waiver of sanctions ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,president is authorized to waive the imposition of sanctions under any provision of law in order to provide for the importation into the ,united ,states of any article described in subsection 7b7 and to exempt such article from duty in accordance with the provisions of subsection 7b74 7d7 ,documentation required ,an article is eligible for the duty exemption under this section only if-- 7#a7 the importer certifies that the article meets the conditions for the duty exemption2 and 7#b7 when requested by ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection1 the importer1 manufacturer1 or exporter submits a declaration setting forth all pertinent information with respect to the article1 including the following3 7,a7 ,a description of the article1 quantity1 numbers1 and marks of packages1 invoice numbers1 and bills of lading4 7,b7 ,a description of the operations performed in the production of the article in a free ,syria economic zone and identification of the direct costs of processing operations4 7,c7 ,a description of any materials used in production of the article which are wholly the growth1 product1 or manufacture of free ,syria economic zones1 and a statement as to the cost or value of such materials4 7,d7 ,a description of the operations performed on1 and a statement as to the origin and cost or value of1 any foreign materials used in the article which are claimed to have been sufficiently processed in the free ,syria economic zone so as to be materials produced in the free ,syria economic zone4 7,e7 ,a description of the origin and cost or value of any foreign materials used in the article which have not been substantially transformed in the free ,syria economic zone4 7e7 ,free ,syria economic zone defined ,in this section1 the term free ,syria economic zone means any area that-- 7#a7 encompasses portions of the territory of ,syria2 7#b7 is not under the control of the ,government of ,syria1 the ,government of ,iran1 the ,government of ,russia1 or any organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section #bai of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahi71 including-- 7,a7 the ,islamic ,state of ,iraq and al-,sham 7,,isis72 7,b7 ,hay'at ,tahrir al-,sham2 the al-,nusra ,front2 and 7,c7 ,jabhat ,fatah al-,sham2 and 7#c7 has been specified by the ,president as a free ,syria economic zone4