2025-09-04T09:35:03+00:00

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Shafaq News – Washington

Dozens of Syrian American lawyers, doctors, business
leaders, and activists gathered on Thursday at the US Capitol to urge lawmakers
to repeal the Caesar Act sanctions that have constrained Syria’s economy since
2020.

The advocacy campaign—organized by the Syrian American
Council and allied groups—focused on a bill introduced by Republican
Representative Joe Wilson to eliminate the sanctions entirely, with delegates
spending the day lobbying members of Congress.

Mohammad Alaa Ghanem, co-founder of the Syrian
American lobby and head of political affairs at the council, told Shafaq News
that temporary waivers granted by past administrations are inadequate, warning
that foreign investment will remain frozen as long as the law stands.

After a morning strategy session, participants divided
into teams to press lawmakers, with attorney Samir Sabounji stressing to our
agency that the matter now rests with Congress, while Cuban American activist
Alberto Hernandez framed repeal as both a Syrian recovery issue and a US
national security concern.

Lina Arkaoui met Representative Greg Stanton, arguing
that lifting sanctions would open the door to reconstruction and allow
displaced Syrians to return after years of war. Organizers also pointed to
bipartisan interest, citing backing from Representative Maxine Waters and
Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

At day’s end, Wilson displayed a photo of US President
Donald Trump with Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, describing the
sanctions as “rigid” measures that deter investment and delay refugee returns.

While noting that he is working with Armed Services
Committee colleagues on amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act to
ignite debate on sanctions and promote economic engagement with Syria, Wilson
emphasized that the Syrian diaspora and religious minorities must be included
in any future government to build international support for lifting
restrictions. He further criticized Israel’s repeated strikes in Syria, arguing
that continued military action undermines long-term stability.

Representative Marlin Stutzman, a member of the House
Financial Services Committee who visited Jobar and Saydnaya in April, described
Syria as facing a “historic opportunity” for recovery, urging a transition
beyond al-Assad era while acknowledging Syrians’ resilience. The debate in
Congress, he stressed, now focuses on how, not if, sanctions should be lifted.

The Syrian American advocacy groups, according to
Hernandez, have shifted from pushing to extend sanctions to campaigning for
repeal, expressing confidence that bipartisan momentum is building ahead of a
key House vote next week.

Activists left Capitol Hill optimistic that Thursday’s
campaign could mark the beginning of a policy shift toward reconstruction and
economic recovery in Syria.

For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, D.C.